Esophageal healing in the pony: comparison of sutured vs nonsutured esophagotomy.
Abstract: Esophageal healing was evaluated in 10 ponies after sutured and nonsutured cervical esophagotomy techniques. Mucosal healing occurred significantly (P less than 0.005) faster after sutured esophagotomies (x = 7.5 days after surgery) than after nonsutured esophagotomies (x = 25.6 days after surgery), based on endoscopic and clinical evaluations. Although endoscopy was an accurate assessment of the return of normal passage of a food bolus through the esophagus, 4 of 10 ponies had radiographic evidence of a sinus tract after the mucosa was considered healed, based on endoscopic and clinical examinations. The surgical skin wound also healed significantly sooner after sutured esophagotomies (x = 10 days) than after nonsutured esophagotomies (x = 33.4 days). A traction diverticulum developed in all ponies with nonsutured esophagotomies, but occurred in only 1 pony with sutured esophagotomy. Minor complications were seen more frequently with sutured esophagotomy than with a nonsutured esophagotomy, but were resolved with local therapy. Saliva appeared to inhibit wound healing. All ponies were fed through esophagostomy tubes until the mucosa at the esophagotomy site was considered healed. Except for 1 sutured esophagotomy that dehisced, sutured esophagotomy was superior to nonsutured esophagotomy, because earlier establishment of a mucosal seal resulted in more rapid healing and reduced nursing care.
Publication Date: 1981-09-01 PubMed ID: 6798905
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examined the process of esophageal healing in ponies, comparing two different techniques used for esophagotomy. The findings showed that sutured esophagotomies led to faster recovery and fewer complications compared to nonsutured ones.
Research Design
- The researchers evaluated esophageal healing in 10 ponies following cervical esophagotomy, a surgical procedure performed on the esophagus. The ponies were divided into two groups, where some underwent sutured esophagotomies, and others underwent nonsutured esophagotomies.
- Healing times were measured based on endoscopic and clinical evaluations. These evaluations checked the speed of mucosal healing, which is the healing of the innermost lining of the esophagus.
- The return of normal food bolus passage (swallowing food) was monitored through endoscopy. Radiographic evidence was also checked, with 4 of 10 ponies showing signs of a sinus tract even after the mucosa was considered healed.
Key Findings
- It was observed that mucosal healing occurred significantly faster after sutured esophagotomies, with an average healing time of 7.5 days. In contrast, nonsutured esophagotomies took longer, with an average healing period of 25.6 days.
- The surgical skin wound also recovered faster after sutured surgeries, with an average healing period of 10 days. This figure increases to 33.4 days with nonsutured esophagotomies.
- All ponies with nonsutured esophagotomies developed a traction diverticulum, a condition where a pouch forms in the esophagus, while only one pony with a sutured esophagotomy had this complication.
- However, minor complications were seen more frequently with sutured esophagotomy but were treated with local therapy.
- Saliva was noticed to inhibit wound healing, and all ponies were fed through esophagostomy tubes until the esophagotomy site was considered healed.
Conclusions
- From these findings, sutured esophagotomy was deemed superior to nonsutured esophagotomy because it allowed for a faster establishment of a mucosal seal. This led to quicker healing and reduced the need for prolonged nursing care.
- Only one case of dehiscence (wound separation) occurred in the sutured esophagotomy group.
Cite This Article
APA
Stick JA, Krehbiel JD, Kunze DJ, Wortman JA.
(1981).
Esophageal healing in the pony: comparison of sutured vs nonsutured esophagotomy.
Am J Vet Res, 42(9), 1506-1513.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diverticulum, Esophageal / etiology
- Diverticulum, Esophageal / veterinary
- Esophagoscopy / veterinary
- Esophagus / diagnostic imaging
- Esophagus / surgery
- Female
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Radiography
- Sutures / veterinary
- Time Factors
- Wound Healing
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Koenig JB, Silveira A, Cribb NC, Piat P, Laverty S, Sorge US. Clinical indications, complications, and long-term outcome of esophageal surgeries in 27 horses. Can Vet J 2016 Dec;57(12):1257-1262.
- Vrins A, O'brien TR, Carlson G. Diverticulum and fistula of the lower cervical esophagus in a horse. Can Vet J 1983 Dec;24(12):385-7.
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