Diaphragmatic hernia repair in three young horses.

The research discusses the successful treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in three young horses through surgical intervention, and these horses later exhibited normal racing performances and reproductive capabilities.

Research Methodology

• The study is based on the retrospective examination of medical records and subsequent evaluation of performance in racing.
• The focus was on three young horses that were diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia.

Observation and Results

• Initial signs indicating the presence of a diaphragmatic hernia in the three horses included symptoms of abdominal pain.
• It was discovered that the hernia resulted in the strangulation of the small intestine.
• In response, the engorged section of each horse’s small intestine was surgically removed, followed by an end-to-end jejuno-jejunal linkage in two horses and a side-to-side jejuno-cecal linkage in the third horse.
• The hernias in the horses’ diaphragms were closed using continuous suture patterns.
• Post operation, all three horses recovered from their surgeries and were capable of racing again. It was observed that their racing performance was not different from that of their siblings who did not have the hernia.
• One of the horses died of colic at the age of five; however, no conclusive evidence pointed towards the hernia or its treatment as the possible cause.

Long Term Performance and Reproduction

• The two surviving horses were engaged as broodmares and have since given birth to a number of foals.
• Importantly, they showed no reappearance of the symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia, indicating effective treatment.

Conclusion

• Based on the medical history and performance records of these three young horses, the researchers concluded that diaphragmatic hernias in horses can be surgically corrected.
• Post operative healing and recovery suggested that horses can return to their regular activities, such as racing, without any discernible hindrance, mimicking the performance of their non-afflicted siblings.
• The same horses were also capable of successful reproduction without any recurrence of symptoms related to the hernia, further attesting to the effectiveness of the surgical procedure.