Duodenojejunal mesenteric rents: Survival and complications after surgical correction in 38 broodmares (2006-2014).
OBJECTIVE
To describe short-term and long-term survival of horses with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents, and to examine the association of selected preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors with survival or colic after discharge, in horses with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Horses undergoing surgery for correction of small intestinal lesions secondary to duodenojejunal mesenteric rents (n = 38).


METHODS
Medical records (2006-2014) of horses admitted to a referral hospital in Kentucky were reviewed. Data for preoperative and intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and short-term survival to discharge were recorded Long-term (>12 months) survival was determined by follow-up telephone query. Association of factors with survival and colic after discharge was determined using logistic regression.


RESULTS
All 38 horses were Thoroughbred broodmares. Short-term survival was 76% overall and 88% among horses that recovered from general anesthesia. Long-term survival was 74% overall and 97% for mares that survived to discharge. All long-term survivors and 85% of mares that recovered from general anesthesia returned to use for breeding. The odds of survival were significantly higher for horses ≤10 years of age (OR = 6.2; 95% CI, 1.1-34.4). Failure to close the rent was associated with increased odds of colic after discharge, but had no effect on survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term and long-term survival was high relative to prior reports and mares surviving to discharge following mesenteric rent surgery had an excellent prognosis for long-term survival. Based on our data, closure of rents is recommended to prevent recurrence of colic, but may be unnecessary for survival.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Shauna P
SP
Lawless
Davidson Surgical Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky.
Laura A
LA
Werner
Davidson Surgical Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky.
W True
WT
Baker
Davidson Surgical Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky.
Robert J
RJ
Hunt
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Noah D
ND
Cohen
D000818:Animals; D003120:Colorado; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery*; D008499:Medical Records; D008643:Mesentery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate