Laparoscopic evaluation of the small intestine in the standing horse: Technique and effects.

This research investigated the viability and aftereffects of performing a laparoscopic examination of the small intestines in standing horses. The researchers concluded it is a feasible procedure that does not lead to significant discomfort or complications.

Research Methodology

• The study employed a prospective pilot design with five healthy adult horses.
• The horses were kept standing in stocks and infused with detomidine.
• The operation involved placing one port in the horse’s left last intercostal space and three ports in the right paralumbar fossa.
• The small intestine was run with atraumatic laparoscopic grasping forceps, from the duodenocolic plica to the ileocecal plica.
• Following the procedure, postoperative pain was scored every four hours for the first 48 hours
• Horses were monitored via physical examinations for two weeks. This physical monitoring included a second look laparoscopy, performed at two weeks, to evaluate the small intestine and assess any iatrogenic changes.
• An exploratory celiotomy was carried out in two horses after two months, and long-term follow-up was kept for the remaining three horses.

Research Findings

• The research team successfully completed two laparoscopic evaluations of the entire small intestine in every horse.
• Each evaluation lasted around 39 ± 21.2 minutes, while total surgery time was approximately 73 ± 34.1 minutes.
• Postoperative physical examinations revealed no abnormal condition in all horses, and pain scores were assessed as mild.
• The only irregularities discovered during the second look laparoscopy were multifocal petechiae and ecchymoses in all horses, but these resolved by two months in the horses evaluated via celiotomy.
• Three of the horses, who were part of long-term follow-up, were healthy eight months post-procedure.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that performing a laparoscopic evaluation – or ‘running’ – of the small intestine is a viable procedure in standing normal horses.
• The procedure does not cause any significant discomfort nor does it lead to notable complications.