Surgical management of small intestinal incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament: 14 cases (1994-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence, clinical findings, and long-term survival rate after surgery associated with incarceration of the small intestine through the gastrosplenic ligament (ISIGL) in horses.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
14 horses with ISIGL.


METHODS
Medical records of horses with ISIGL examined between January 1994 and December 2006 were reviewed. Signalment, initial physical examination findings, results of abdominal fluid analysis, and clinical laboratory values were recorded, along with surgical findings, including segment of incarcerated intestine and surgical procedures performed. Long-term survival data were obtained through client interviews.


RESULTS
Clinical findings included small intestinal distention identified via rectal palpation (10/14 horses) or transabdominal ultrasonography (8/11), nasogastric reflux (4/14), and abnormal abdominal fluid (9/9). All horses required intestinal resection and anastomosis. Postoperative complications included adynamic ileus (5/14 horses), incisional infection (4/14), diarrhea (3/14), and laminitis (1/14). No breed or age predilection was detected, although geldings were at increased risk for ISIGL. Long-term survival rate was 79% (11/14 horses).


CONCLUSIONS
ISIGL was an uncommon cause of colicin this hospital population. With appropriate surgical intervention and postoperative management, the long-term prognosis for surgically treated horses was fair to good.
Jenei
Thomas M
TM
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
García-López
José M
JM
Provost
Patricia J
PJ
Kirker-Head
Carl A
CA
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate