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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14479

Age is associated with the requirement for surgery in horses with nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon at a single UK equine referral hospital.

Abstract: Conservative and surgical management of left dorsal displacement and nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon (NSLE) is well described in horses. Whilst breed factors predispose the development of NSLE, it is unknown if breed affects the likelihood for surgical intervention. Objective: To compare the incidence of surgical intervention and differences in pre-operative parameters between Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred horses. The authors hypothesise a higher proportion of Thoroughbreds require surgical intervention. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Case records at a single equine referral hospital were searched between January 2007 and September 2022 for horses with suspected or confirmed NSLE on transrectal palpation, transabdominal ultrasonography or exploratory laparotomy. Horses were classified into Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred groups. Unpaired T-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-squared tests and multivariable analysis were used to compare groups. A mixed effects multivariable logistic regression model compared surgery or conservative management as outcome variables. Results: A total of 179 NSLEs in 169 horses were included (100 Thoroughbreds). Forty-eight horses (26.8%) underwent surgery, including 34 Thoroughbreds (70.8%). A total of 131 NSLEs in 125 horses were treated conservatively (73.2%), including 66 Thoroughbreds (50.4%). Univariable analysis showed Thoroughbreds were more likely to require surgical intervention compared with non-Thoroughbred breeds (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-6.18; p = 0.04). Thoroughbreds requiring surgical intervention were significantly younger than those treated conservatively (surgical group median = 2 years [interquartile range, IQR = 1], conservative group median = 4.5 years [IQR = 7], 95% CI 1.66-5.27 years; p ≤ 0.0001). Multivariable analysis, however, showed decreasing age alone was associated with an increased likelihood of surgical intervention (OR = 0.9; 95% CI 0.81-0.99; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Definitive diagnosis of NSLE is not possible in conservatively managed cases. Conclusions: For this hospital population, Thoroughbreds were more likely to require surgical correction of NSLE, most likely due to the significantly increased likelihood of surgical intervention in young horses.
© 2025 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-01 PubMed ID: 39891548DOI: 10.1111/evj.14479Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the likelihood of surgical intervention in cases of nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon (NSLE) in horses, with a focus on breed factors. The study revealed that Thoroughbred horses and younger horses were more likely to require surgery.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using case records from a single equine referral hospital.
  • The records, ranging from January 2007 to September 2022, involved horses with suspected or confirmed NSLE diagnosed through transrectal palpation, transabdominal ultrasonography, or exploratory laparotomy.
  • The horses were categorized into Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred groups.
  • Data analysis involved unpaired T-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-squared tests, and multivariable analysis, enabling a comparison between the two groups.
  • A mixed effects multivariable logistic regression model was employed to compare the outcomes of surgical intervention versus conservative management.

Results

  • Out of the 169 horses with NSLE, 100 were Thoroughbreds and 26.8% underwent surgery. Of these horses, 70.8% were Thoroughbreds.
  • Conservative treatment was opted in 73.2% of the cases, 50.4% of which were Thoroughbreds.
  • The univariable analysis revealed that Thoroughbreds were more likely to require surgical intervention compared to non-Thoroughbred breeds.
  • Thoroughbreads were significantly younger in the surgical group than in the conservative group – median age of 2 years versus 4.5 years respectively.
  • However, multivariable analysis showed that a decrease in age alone increased the likelihood of surgical intervention.

Conclusions

  • The study exposes the difficulty in definitively diagnosing NSLE in cases managed conservatively without surgical intervention.
  • For the hospital population in the study, Thoroughbreds were more likely to require surgical correction of NSLE.
  • This increased likelihood of surgery was largely due to the greater probability of surgical intervention in young horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Dollemore G, McGovern K, Tallon R. (2025). Age is associated with the requirement for surgery in horses with nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon at a single UK equine referral hospital. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14479

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Dollemore, Georgia
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
McGovern, Kate
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Tallon, Rose
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.

Grant Funding

  • Independent Vetcare Limited (IVC) Evidensia

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