Diagnosis of gastroduodenojejunitis and its surgical treatment by a temporary duodenocaecostomy.

The research article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of a severe gastrointestinal condition, known as gastroduodenojejunitis, in horses. This condition involves inflammation of the stomach and upper small intestine, leading to secondary stomach overloading and dangers of hypovolaemic shock due to toxins. Treatments involve either intravenous electrolyte therapy and gastric decompression in mild cases, or a surgical procedure called duodenocaecal anastomosis in severe cases, which the article suggests may be necessary if no improvement is observed after 24 hours.

Understanding Gastroduodenojejunitis

• Gastroduodenojejunitis is a medical condition seen in horses, involving the inflammation of the stomach and the proximal part of the small intestine. This inflammation results in a secondary overloading of the stomach.
• This condition can induce a critical health state known as hypovolaemic shock, which is a severe form of physical shock caused by a rapid decrease in blood volume.
• The presence of toxins in the body can exacerbate the severity of this shock.
• This gastrointestinal condition can be present in either a mild or severe form.

Treatments for Gastroduodenojejunitis

• For horses with a mild condition, the article recommends a conservative treatment approach involving intravenous electrolyte therapy and repeated gastric decompression. This non-invasive treatment method is generally successful.
• However, in severe cases, a surgical treatment known as duodenocaecal anastomosis may be required.
• Duodenocaecal anastomosis is a surgical procedure that involves creating an artificial connection between the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine) and the caecum (a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine).
• The research suggests that this surgical intervention has provided positive results in treating severe cases of gastroduodenojejunitis.
• The operation should be considered if the conservative treatment shows no sign of improvement 24 hours following the onset of the condition.