Laparoscopic Evaluation of the Epiploic Foramen after Celiotomy for Epiploic Foramen Entrapment in the Horse.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the epiploic foramen using laparoscopy in horses previously treated for epiploic foramen entrapment to determine if spontaneous epiploic foramen closure had occurred.


METHODS
Non-consecutive case series.


METHODS
Seven horses.


METHODS
The epiploic foramen was inspected by right flank laparoscopy between 35 and 71 days after successful surgical treatment for epiploic foramen entrapment. Data were collected on the presence of behavior vices, details of surgery for epiploic foramen entrapment (time from colic onset to surgery, site and length of entrapped intestine, direction of entrapment, compromise of the intestine, intestine resected), the time between surgery for epiploic foramen entrapment and laparoscopy, and the laparoscopic appearance of the epiploic foramen. If the epiploic foramen was open, a mesh was introduced to obliterate the epiploic foramen (Foramen Epiploicum Mesh Closure [FEMC]). Clinical progress of the horses was followed by owner telephone interview at 1 and 4 months after laparoscopy, and a final interview between 135 and 282 days after laparoscopy. Owners were questioned on specific postoperative complications and the exercise level of the horse.


RESULTS
At laparoscopy, 3/7 horses had complete closure of the epiploic foramen by dense fibrous tissue. The FEMC was performed in 4 horses without major complications. Postoperative colic episodes were recorded in 3 horses, all of them displaying windsucking/cribbing behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic evaluation after celiotomy for epiploic foramen entrapment revealed spontaneous closure of the epiploic foramen in 3/7 horses. This finding could explain the reported low recurrence rate after surgical treatment for epiploic foramen entrapment.
Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Thomas
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4966-6981
T
van Bergen
Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.|De Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde, Lienden, The Netherlands.
Peter
P
Wiemer
Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Stijn
S
Schauvliege
Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Ellen
E
Paulussen
MD Surgeon n.p., Consultant in General Surgery, Tiel, The Netherlands.
Franz
F
Ugahary
Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Ann
A
Martens
D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*