Jejunal intussusception in adult horses: 11 cases (1981-1991).

This study reviews the medical records of 11 adult horses that exhibited jejunal intussusception – a disorder that involves the intestine telescoping into itself – between 1981 and 1991. The researchers found out that this condition often led to acute abdominal discomfort in horses, and surgery had a significant role in managing the condition with varying survival outcomes.

Background and Study Purpose

• This study’s main aim is to investigate the incidence, treatment, and prognosis of jejunal intussusception in adult horses by reviewing medical records from five different veterinary teaching hospitals over a ten-year period.

Key Findings

• The majority of the horses in the study (9 out of 11) with jejunal intussusception presented signs of acute abdominal discomfort for less than 24 hours. On the other hand, two horses had a history of chronic signs.
• About half the horses (5 out of 11) had an intraluminal or intramural mass associated with the jejunal intussusception.
• Two horses either died or were euthanized before surgical intervention could occur.
• Nine horses underwent partial jejunal resection and jejunojejunal anastomosis – a surgical procedure in which part of the jejunum is removed and the remaining ends are surgically reattached.
• However, complications arose in the postoperative stage – one horse died during surgery and two more had to be euthanized due to postoperative complications before they could be discharged.
• Out of the six horses that were discharged from the hospital, four survived for a period between 16 months to 6 years and returned to their previous performance level.
• Unfortunately, one horse died three months after the surgery from unknown causes, and long-term follow-up was not possible for one horse.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that jejunal intussusception in horses often leads to acute abdominal discomfort, requiring surgical intervention in most cases.
• The survival rate and return to previous performance levels post-surgery vary, underscoring the need for careful postoperative management and follow-up.