Loop colostomy for management of rectal tears and small-colon injuries in horses: 10 cases (1976-1989).
Abstract: Loop colostomy was performed in 10 horses as treatment for grade-III rectal tears (n = 6 horses), small-colon infarction (n = 2 horses), perirectal abscess and stenosis (n = 1 horse), and small-colon stricture (n = 1 horse). In 7 horses, the colostomy was constructed through a single incision low in the left flank, with closure of the incision around the stoma (single-incision technique). In 3 horses, 2 of which had colostomy performed as a standing procedure, the selected segment of small colon was placed from a flank incision into a separate, small incision low in the left flank (double-incision technique). Five horses underwent colostomy reversal (at 18 to 63 days) and 2 of these horses, both with grade-III rectal tears, recovered completely. Of 8 horses that did not survive, 6 died from the primary disease or associated complications. Technical problems associated with colostomy accounted for death of 2 horses. One horse had gastric rupture attributable to suture occlusion of the small intestine after colostomy reversal, and another horse had complications of incisional infection after repair of a peristomal hernia. Small-colon prolapse through the stoma necessitated premature reversal of the colostomy in a horse that was euthanatized because of worsening laminitis. Minor complications of the colostomy procedure were partial stomal dehiscence (n = 4 horses), partial dehiscence of the flank wound after colostomy reversal (n = 2 horses), and small ventral midline hernia after colostomy reversal (n = 1 horse). Loop colostomy may be of benefit to horses with rectal tears, provided it is done soon after the tear occurs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1992-05-01 PubMed ID: 1601726
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examined the use of loop colostomy procedure in treatment for certain rectal and small-colon conditions in horses. The study indicated mixed results, with some cases recovering fully, and others experiencing complications or death.
Study Design and Procedure
- The study was conducted on a small sample of 10 horses suffering from different conditions including grade-III rectal tears, small-colon infarction, perirectal abscess and stenosis, and small-colon stricture.
- The surgical procedure used was loop colostomy, an operation designed to create a controlled opening (stoma) in the colon, with the purpose of diverting bowel waste to bypass the rectum or damaged parts of the colon.
- Two surgical techniques were applied for the colostomy construction. In seven of the cases, the colostomy was constructed through a single incision in the left flank (single-incision technique). In the remaining three cases, a different approach was taken in which the colon was routed through two different incisions (double-incision technique).
Results and Findings
- Of the 10 horses, five underwent colostomy reversal 18 to 63 days post-procedure, where the colon was reconnected to restore normal function. Two of these horses, which had grade-III rectal tears, showed complete recovery.
- Out of these 10 horses, eight didn’t survive. Six of these fatalities were associated with the primary disease or its related complications, rather than the colostomy itself.
- Technical problems related to the colostomy procedure itself led to the death of two horses. One experienced a gastric rupture due to suture occlusion of the small intestine after colostomy reversal, and the other suffered from complications of incisional infection after repair of a peristomal hernia.
Minor Complications
- Besides the major complications, the study also reported some minor complications including partial stomal dehiscence (partial separation of the stoma from the skin) occurred in four cases, partial dehiscence of the flank wound developed in two cases after colostomy reversal, and a small ventral midline hernia was reported in one case post-reversal.
Conclusion
- The study suggests that the loop colostomy may benefit horses suffering from rectal tears if applied soon after the occurrence of the injury, but further research is necessary to help reduce rates of complications and death.
Cite This Article
APA
Freeman DE, Richardson DW, Tulleners EP, Orsini JA, Donawick WJ, Madison JB, Ross MW, Beroza GA.
(1992).
Loop colostomy for management of rectal tears and small-colon injuries in horses: 10 cases (1976-1989).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 200(9), 1365-1371.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348-1692.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colon / injuries
- Colostomy / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Postoperative Care / veterinary
- Rectum / injuries
- Retrospective Studies
- Surgical Wound Dehiscence / surgery
- Surgical Wound Dehiscence / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
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