Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2020; 257(2); 189-195; doi: 10.2460/javma.257.2.189

Outcome and complications following transrectal and transabdominal large intestinal trocarization in equids with colic: 228 cases (2004-2015).

Abstract: To describe outcome and complications after large intestinal trocarization in equids with colic and identify factors associated with nonsurvival and clinically relevant peritonitis (CRP). Methods: 228 (198 horses, 24 ponies, and 6 donkeys and mules) equids with colic that underwent large intestinal trocarization. Methods: Medical records from 2004 through 2015 were reviewed for equids with colic that underwent large intestinal trocarization. Factors associated with nonsurvival in all (ie, surgically and medically treated) equids and with CRP in medically only treated equids were identified. Medically only treated equids with a high peritoneal fluid cell count (ie, > 10,000 cells/μL) after large intestinal trocarization were classified as having CRP if they met ≥ 2 of the following clinical criteria: anorexia, fever, lethargy, abnormal oral mucous membrane color, abnormal WBC count, or high blood fibrinogen concentration (> 5 g/L). Results: Transabdominal large intestinal trocarization was performed in 190 (83%) equids, transrectal trocarization in 17 (7%), and both procedures in 21 (9%). Of 228 equids, 167 (73%) survived to hospital discharge. None died or were euthanized because of complications from large intestinal trocarization. Nonsurvival was associated with an increasing number of trocarization procedures and diagnosis of a large intestinal strangulating lesion. A diagnosis of nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon decreased the odds of nonsurvival. Twelve of 60 (20%) equids that received medical treatment only had CRP following large intestinal trocarization. Conclusions: Large intestinal trocarization could be considered for equids with colic and large intestinal gas distension. More than one trocarization procedure was associated with an increase in nonsurvival, which should be considered for equids for which consent for surgery has been obtained.
Publication Date: 2020-07-01 PubMed ID: 32597730DOI: 10.2460/javma.257.2.189Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research examined the outcomes and complications in horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules (collectively called equids) that underwent a large intestinal trocarization procedure due to colic, and attempted to identify factors that led to peritonitis or non-survival following the procedure.

Methodology

  • The study analyzed medical records from 2004 to 2015 of 228 equids (198 horses, 24 ponies, and 6 donkeys and mules) that were treated for colic via large intestinal trocarization.
  • Equids that showed a high cell count in their peritoneal fluid after the trocarization procedure and met at least two clinical conditions such as fever, lethargy, abnormal count of white blood cells among others, were considered to have clinically relevant peritonitis (CRP).

Findings

  • Of the overall cases reviewed, 190 equids underwent transabdominal large intestinal trocarization, 17 underwent transrectal, and 21 were treated using both procedures.
  • 73% (or 167) of the total equids survived and were discharged from the hospital. None of the deaths were linked to complications from the trocarization.
  • The study found that increasing the number of trocarization procedures and diagnosis of a large intestinal strangulating lesion increased non-survival odds.
  • On the other hand, diagnosis of nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon decreased the chances of non-survival.
  • Interestingly, 20% of equids receiving only medical treatment had CRP after the large intestinal trocarization.

Conclusions

  • Based on the findings, the study concludes that large intestinal trocarization could be considered a viable treatment for equids with colic and large intestinal gas distension.
  • However, consent for surgery should be carefully considered for equids, as there is an association between non-survival rate and an increasing number of trocarization procedures.

Cite This Article

APA
Schoster A, Altermatt N, Torgerson PR, Bischofberger AS. (2020). Outcome and complications following transrectal and transabdominal large intestinal trocarization in equids with colic: 228 cases (2004-2015). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 257(2), 189-195. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.257.2.189

Publication

ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 257
Issue: 2
Pages: 189-195

Researcher Affiliations

Schoster, Angelika
    Altermatt, Nicole
      Torgerson, Paul R
        Bischofberger, Andrea S

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Colic / etiology
          • Colic / surgery
          • Colic / veterinary
          • Equidae
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / surgery
          • Horses
          • Intestine, Large
          • Retrospective Studies

          Citations

          This article has been cited 2 times.
          1. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Maslamama ST, Purnama MTE. Incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management of equine colic in Lamongan, Indonesia.. Vet World 2023;16(7):1408-1414.
          2. Du00f3ria RGS, Reginato GM, Hayasaka YB, Fantinato Neto P, Passarelli D, Arantes JA. Complications following transcutaneous cecal trocarization in horses with a cattle trocar and a cecal needle.. PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277468.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277468pubmed: 36417417google scholar: lookup