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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Clinical features and outcome of 40 horses with mesodivertic...
Equine veterinary journal2023; 56(6); 1201-1208; doi: 10.1111/evj.14014

Clinical features and outcome of 40 horses with mesodiverticular bands identified during exploratory laparotomy for management of acute colic.

Abstract: Mesodiverticular bands (MDBs) are an embryonic remnant of the vitelline artery. Information about the clinical significance of equine MDBs is currently limited. Objective: To report the clinical features, surgical findings and outcomes of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy where a MDB was identified. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Case records of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for colic over a 14-year period (2009-2022) were reviewed. MDBs identified at laparotomy were classified as the primary or contributory cause of abdominal pain, or as incidental. Results: MDBs were identified in 40/1943 horses (2.1%) and 15 were primary (32.5%), 10 contributory (25%) and 15 incidental (32.5%). Horses with primary MDBs (median 2 years, IQR 1-12) were significantly younger than horses with incidental MDBs (median 8 years, IQR 6-16; P = 0.01). MDBs were more likely to be incidental if located in the mid-jejunum (5/5) (P < 0.001) or where a mesenteric pocket was absent (11/15) (P = 0.01). Primary MDBs caused extra-mural obstruction due to mesenteric shortening (n = 4), small intestinal entrapment within the MDB pocket (n = 5) or in an adjacent mesenteric rent (n = 4), and volvulus around the MDB (n = 2), with intestinal resection required in 8/15 cases. For horses with primary MDBs, survival to hospital discharge was 60% overall (9/15) and 75% for horses that stood following anaesthesia (9/12) with 88.9% of cases discharged from hospital (8/9) surviving >1 year. Excision of MDB tissue was not associated with complications but 3/4 non-incidental MDBs left in situ required relaparotomy to treat MDB-associated colic. Conclusions: Retrospective single centre data. Conclusions: Most MDBs in horses undergoing surgical treatment of colic in this population were not incidental. MDB-associated colic was most commonly classified as strangulating obstruction, but non-strangulating extra-mural compression was also identified. Excision of MDB tissue should be undertaken where possible, particularly in non-incidental cases.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-03 PubMed ID: 37787374DOI: 10.1111/evj.14014Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research paper investigates the impact of Mesodiverticular bands (MDBs) – a relic of horse embryonic development – in the surgical treatment of horse colic. It outlines the characteristics, linked surgical findings, and resulting outcomes of horses undergoing such surgery, using a case series from 2009 to 2022.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers retrospectively reviewed the case records of horses that underwent exploratory laparotomy for colic over a 14-year period (2009-2022)
  • In cases where MDBs were identified during the surgical procedure, they were categorized into primary causes, contributory factors, or incidental findings towards the abdominal pain experienced by the horses

Key Findings

  • Out of 1943 horses, MDBs were found in 40 horses, or 2.1%. These were further categorized into 15 primary (32.5%), 10 contributory (25%), and 15 incidental (32.5%)
  • MDBs were primarily found in younger horses, showing a significant pattern where horses with MDBs were younger than those reporting incidental MDBs
  • The location of MDBs showed a significant association, where MDBs were most likely to be incidental if located in mid-jejunum or in cases where the mesenteric pocket was not present
  • In major cases, primary MDBs caused extra-mural obstruction because of mesenteric shortening, small intestinal entrapment within the MDB pocket or in an adjacent mesenteric rent, and volvulus around the MDB. The resultant compression often required intestinal resection
  • The survival rate for horses with primary MDBs was 60% overall and it increased to 75% for horses standing after anaesthesia. Long-term survival rate of over a year was recorded at 88.9%
  • Leaving non-incidental MDBs in situ typically resulted in problematic complications, often requiring reparation surgery to treat MDB-associated colic

Conclusion

  • The research concludes that in the majority of horses undergoing surgical treatment for colic in this studied population, MDBs were not incidental
  • It was also found that MDB-associated colic was predominantly classified as strangulating obstruction, although non-strangulating extra-mural compression was also identified
  • The study recommends excising MDB tissue, especially in non-incidental cases, to prevent further complications

Cite This Article

APA
Shanklin AJ, Archer DC, Baldwin CM. (2023). Clinical features and outcome of 40 horses with mesodiverticular bands identified during exploratory laparotomy for management of acute colic. Equine Vet J, 56(6), 1201-1208. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14014

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 6
Pages: 1201-1208

Researcher Affiliations

Shanklin, Alexander J
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Archer, Debra C
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Baldwin, Christopher M
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Colic / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Laparotomy / veterinary
  • Male
  • Female
  • Treatment Outcome

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