Incarceration of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen. Report of 19 cases (1983-1992).

The research article deals with 19 cases of horses that were admitted for colic symptoms and found to have a condition called small intestinal incarceration through the epiploic foramen. The findings of the study indicate that successful treatment heavily depends on the severity of the damage and overall, the survival rate is around 63% to 74%.

Study Population and Clinical Signs

• The study reviewed the medical records of 19 horses of various ages and breeds.
• These horses presented with symptoms of colic—abdominal pain—for an average duration of 13.5 hours before the examination was carried out.
• Prior to the examination, 15 horses showed signs of small intestinal distention, and 17 had nasogastric reflux, which is vomiting or other symptoms indicative of an obstructive disorder.

Surgical Interventions and Outcomes

• Severe intestinal damage was discernible in three horses, which were euthanized during surgery to prevent further suffering.
• Out of the remaining 16 horses, 13 required an operation called intestinal resection and anastomosis. This is a surgical procedure where a damaged section of the intestine is removed and the two healthy ends are reconnected.
• The length of incarcerated—that is, trapped or obstructed—small intestine in these horses varied between 8 cm to 17.6 m. The ileum, which is a part of the small intestine, was affected in 12 cases.

Complications and Survival Rates

• In one unusual case, the horse’s mesoduodenum (a part of the small intestine) was disrupted before the surgery, leading to intra-abdominal bleeding. No incarceration of the bowel was found during surgery in this horse.
• The short-term survival rate, measured one month post-surgery, stood at 74% (14 out of 19 cases).
• The longer-term survival rate was 63%, based on a follow-up period ranging from 3 to 45 months (with an average of 17.2 months).