[Contribution to the treatment of displacement of the ascendant colon in the spleen-kidney area].

The research focuses on the treatment of ascendant colon displacement in horses, specifically seeking an alternative to general anesthesia. The study involved 49 horses presenting nephrosplenic entrapment and had them move and roll in a confined space under observation instead of undergoing immediate surgery. The results showed this method had a high success rate in resolving the displacement, with a smaller percentage of horses undergoing surgery, thereby reducing anesthesia-associated risks.

Study Design and Procedure

• The study involved 49 horses out of 542 colic patients that were presented at the Tierklinik Kerken in 1996, all of whom had complete nephrosplenic entrapment.
• Instead of immediate surgical intervention, these horses were left in a small sized arena to move and roll themselves under observation.
• This method was pursued after preliminary colic examinations and necessary initial treatments had been undertaken.
• Horses were kept in the arena until it was noted that the displacement was corrected either by subsequent exams or their behavior.

Results of the Study

• Of the 49 horses sent in for left dorsal displacement, 85.7% found a resolution for their entrapment within a period of 30 minutes to 48 hours through self-walking and rolling.
• 14.3% of the horses had to undergo surgery due to worsened general conditions, repeated stomach overload, or worsening colic symptoms.
• Postoperative complications occurred in 4.1% of the cases, with two horses developing gastroduodenojejunitis or thyphlocolitis, leading to their euthanization.

Conclusion of the Study

• The study concluded that allowing colic patients to roll on their own, as opposed to using general anesthesia, provided better results in case of nephrosplenic entrapment.
• It noted higher success rates with this method along with reduced risk as this method avoids the need for general anesthesia.