Abstract: The main objective of this retrospective study was to describe clinical findings, management, and short- and long-term outcome in 27 horses that underwent various surgical techniques for esophageal disease. Surgical techniques (sometimes concurrently) performed were: esophagostomy ( = 14), esophagotomy with primary closure ( = 6), esophagomyotomy ( = 3), and esophagoplasty ( = 2). Esophageal perforation in 5 horses was treated by ventral drainage; 3 horses had the esophageal defect sutured ( = 3). Feeding tubes were placed in 15 horses. Postoperative complications occurred in 52% (14/27) with a median of 3 complications/horse (range: 1 to 7). Significantly more complications occurred in horses with a perforated esophagus. Eighteen horses (18/27; 67%) were discharged. Most horses (8/9; 89%) with a lesion located in the proximal esophagus were discharged. Horses with a higher number of postoperative complications, particularly postoperative infection, were more likely to be euthanized. One year after surgery, 41% of the horses were alive and free of complications. L’objectif principal de cette étude rétrospective a été de décrire les résultats cliniques, la gestion et les résultats à court et à long terme chez 27 chevaux qui ont subi diverses techniques de chirurgie pour le traitement de la maladie œsophagienne. Les techniques chirurgicales réalisées (parfois de manière concomitante) étaient : l’œsophagostomie ( = 14), l’œsophagotomie avec fermeture primaire ( = 6), l’œsophagomyotomie ( = 3) et l’œsophagoplastie ( = 2). La perforation œsophagienne chez 5 chevaux a été traitée par drainage ventral; 3 chevaux ont subi une suture du défaut œsophagien ( = 3). Des sondes d’alimentation ont été placées chez 15 chevaux. Les complications postopératoires se sont produites chez 52 % des chevaux (14/27) avec une médiane de 3 complications/cheval (fourchette : 1 à 7). Un nombre significativement supérieur de complications se sont produits chez les chevaux ayant une perforation de l’œsophage. Dix-huit chevaux (18/27; 67 %) ont reçu leur congé. La plupart des chevaux (8/9; 89 %) ayant une lésion situé dans l’œsophage proximal ont reçu leur congé. Il était plus probable que les chevaux avec un nombre supérieur de complications postopératoires, particulièrement une infection postopératoire, soient euthanasiés. Un an après la chirurgie, 41 % des chevaux étaient vivants et libres de complications.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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This research is a retrospective study assessing the clinical findings, management, and outcomes of 27 horses that underwent surgical interventions to treat various esophageal diseases.
Objective and Methodology
The main goal of the study was to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of various surgical techniques used to treat esophageal disease in horses.
The surgeries included esophagostomy, esophagotomy with primary closure, esophagomyotomy, and esophagoplasty.
Additionally, esophageal perforations in some of the horses were treated using ventral drainage or suturing the esophageal defect.
Findings and Observations
Post-surgery complications arose in 52% of the horses, with each horse experiencing an average of three complications.
Horses with a perforated esophagus encountered significantly more complications.
Feeding tubes were inserted into 15 of the horses as part of the postoperative care.
Most horses with lesions localized in the proximal esophagus (8 out of 9) were discharged, indicating a higher success rate for treating conditions in this part of the esophagus.
Outcome and Conclusions
Approximately two-thirds of the horses (67%) successfully overcame their surgeries and related complications and were discharged.
Horses subjected to a higher number of postoperative complications, particularly those suffering from postoperative infection, were more likely to be euthanized.
One year post-surgery, around 41% of the horses were alive and free of complications.
The study concludes that while esophageal surgeries can aid in the treatment of the esophageal disease in horses, the risk of postoperative complications is considerable and can influence long-term survival negatively.
Cite This Article
APA
Koenig JB, Silveira A, Cribb NC, Piat P, Laverty S, Sorge US.
(2016).
Clinical indications, complications, and long-term outcome of esophageal surgeries in 27 horses.
Can Vet J, 57(12), 1257-1262.
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
Silveira, Andressa
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
Cribb, Nicola C
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
Piat, Perrine
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
Laverty, Sheila
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
Sorge, Ulrike S
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Koenig, Silveira, Cribb); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Q J2S 2M2 (Piat, Laverty); Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108 USA (Sorge).
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