title: A retrospective study comparing the outcome of horses undergoing small intestinal resection and anastomosis with a single layer (Lembert) or double layer (simple continuous and Cushing) technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) compare postoperative complications and survival in horses after small intestinal resection and anastomosis using 2 anastomosis techniques (single layer Lembert; double layer simple continuous oversewn with Cushing), and (2) to compare outcome by anastomosis type (jejunoileostomy; jejunojejunostomy).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n = 53).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (July 2006-July 2010) of all horses that had small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Horses were divided into groups based on technique and type of anastomosis. Comparisons of pre- and intraoperative findings (disease severity), postoperative complications, and survival rates were made between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in disease severity, postoperative complications, or survival between single layer (n = 23) or double layer (n = 31) anastomoses. There were no differences in disease severity or survival between jejunoileostomy (n = 16) or jejunojejunostomy (n = 38). There was a higher incidence of postoperative colic in hospital after jejunoileostomy (13/16) compared with jejunojejunostomy (18/38) (P = .0127).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative complications and survival are comparable between horses undergoing single layer and double layer small intestinal end-to-end anastomoses. With the exception of increased postoperative colic in the hospital, postoperative complications and survival after jejunoileostomy and jejunojejunostomy are also comparable.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Kristyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Close
authors.forename: Kira L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Ceri E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sherlock
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies