Intestinal decompression: preliminary study in the horse.
Abstract: A technique of nasoduodenal (N-D) intubation and intestinal decompression was developed and used in the horse to explore the prevention of gastric and intestinal distention after abdominal surgical operation. Three styles of tubes (2 single-lumen tubes and 1 double-lumen tube) were positioned in the duodenum of 12 mature horses (10 experimental and 2 clinical) during laparotomy (without enterotomy), and an iatrogenic occlusion at the small intestine was created and later released in the 10 experimental horses. The 2 clinical horses had an exploratory laparotomy to correct a natural obstruction of the small intestine. After each horse recovered from surgical manipulation, suction was used to keep fluids from accumulating in the cranial part of the gastrointestinal tract. In 5 of the 12 horses, the most simple N-D tube was positioned successfully and functioned properly. Three of the 5 horses which were fasted before surgical manipulation (to obtain an empty stomach) survived without postsurgical complications. Volume of reflux material was measured. Clinical data, such as periods of comfort during decompression without giving analgesics, were recorded. Necropsies were done on 10 of the 12 horses (9 experimental and 1 clinical). Although already tested in 2 clinical horses, use of the N-D tube remains experimental, and the N-D tube functioned only in horses which were fasted before surgical manipulation. Perfection of a safe and dependable means of emptying the equine stomach of its solid ingesta before gastrointestinal intubation is done, is the next step in affording greater clinical application of the N-D tube for gastrointestinal decompression.
Publication Date: 1985-06-15 PubMed ID: 4019290
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Disease Management
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Gastrointestinal Health
- Horses
- Intestinal Surgery
- Laparotomy
- Necropsy
- Post-Operative Period
- Surgery
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research investigates the use of nasoduodenal (N-D) intubation and decompression as a way to prevent gastric and intestinal swelling following abdominal surgery in horses.
Research Overview
- The paper presents a preliminary study on a new technique of nasoduodenal intubation and intestinal decompression in horses to prevent gastric and intestinal distention after abdominal surgery. This technique is developed with the aim to improve recovery after surgery by preventing the accumulation of fluids in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Three types of tubes were used and tested on 12 mature horses. The experiments involved positioning these tubes into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) of the horse during a laparotomy (surgical incision into the abdominal cavity). A surgical blockage was created in the small intestine of the experimental horses and then later released.
Experimental Findings
- From the experiments, it was found that the simplest tube was successfully placed and functioned properly in 5 out of the 12 horses. These horses that were made to fast prior to surgery survived without postsurgical complications.
- Additionally, the volume of reflux material was recorded and clinical observations such as periods of comfort during decompression without administering pain relief were noted. Necropsy (animal autopsy) was conducted on 10 of the 12 horses to investigate any possible internal effects or complications.
Conclusions
- The paper concludes that while the N-D tube technique had been tested on two clinical cases, it remains an experimental technique. It was noted that the N-D tube worked best in horses that had fasted before the operation.
- Going forward, improvements on safe and reliable methods to empty the horse’s stomach prior to gastrointestinal intubation are necessary. This will allow for broader clinical application of N-D tubes for gastrointestinal decompression which could potentially prevent post-surgical complications in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Beroza GA, Donawick WJ, Topkis VA.
(1985).
Intestinal decompression: preliminary study in the horse.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 186(12), 1304-1309.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses / surgery
- Intestinal Obstruction / prevention & control
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Intubation, Gastrointestinal / instrumentation
- Intubation, Gastrointestinal / veterinary
- Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Stomach Rupture / prevention & control
- Stomach Rupture / veterinary
- Suction / veterinary
Citations
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