Outcome and long-term follow-up of 20 horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction: a retrospective study (2000-2008).
Abstract: If untreated, caecal impaction may progress to rupture of the caecum and reports of long-term outcome for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction are required. Objective: To describe short- and long-term complication rates for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction in an otherwise life-threatening gastrointestinal condition. Methods: Case records were reviewed for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction. Horses were included in the study if an abnormally large, fluid-distended or feed-impacted caecum was the primary diagnosis at surgery and excluded if the caecum had already ruptured upon opening the abdomen, necessitating euthanasia. Short-term follow-up data were obtained from clinical records; and included complications, repeat celiotomy and survival to discharge. Long-term survival was defined as survival for >1 year post operatively. Long-term follow-up data were obtained through telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinary surgeons. Survival, occurrence of post operative colic and subsequent use of the horse were recorded. Results: Twenty horses underwent surgery for caecal impaction: 16 horses underwent caecal bypass (typhlotomy and removal of caecal contents, ileal transection followed by ileocolostomy); 3 underwent typhlotomy alone; and one horse underwent typhlotomy followed by a second procedure where caecal bypass was performed. Five horses (25%) were admitted for colic evaluation with primary caecal impactions, in 10/20 (50%) of cases the impaction was secondary to previous orthopaedic surgery and in 5/20 (25%) caecal impaction was identified at repeat celiotomy following a previous colic surgery. Sixty-five percent (13/20) of horses survived to discharge; 11/13 (85%) of horses discharged survived long term; 100% (3/3) horses that received typhlotomy alone were discharged and survived long term. Conclusions: The prognosis following caecal impaction surgery is fair, if the horse survives to discharge then prognosis for long-term survival is good. Conclusions: Surgery for caecal impaction carries a fair prognosis for a potentially life threatening disease, in particular where caecal dysfunction is suspected.
Publication Date: 2010-07-20 PubMed ID: 20636773DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00087.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study looks into the outcomes of 20 horses that underwent surgery for the serious gastrointestinal condition called caecal impaction. The results could increase understanding of short and long-term complications of the surgery and point towards a fair prognosis for horses who survive the operation.
Study Objective and Methods
- The aim of the study was to describe the short and long-term complication rates in horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction, which can advance to caecum rupture if ignored.
- The research was based on retrospective analysis of case records of horses that had surgery due to an unusually large caecum that was fluid-distended or impacted with feed.
- The cases with already ruptured caecum requiring euthanasia were not included in the study.
- Past clinical records provided the data for short-term follow-up, highlighting complications, repeat celiotomy (surgical incision into the abdominal cavity), and survival until discharge.
- Long-term survival was defined as if a horse survived more than a year after the operation.
- Data regarding long-term follow-up was gathered through telephone interviews with horse owners and the referring veterinary surgeons, and information on survival rates, post-operative colic and subsequent usage of the horse was recorded.
Results of the Surgery
- Out of twenty horses that had surgery for caecal impaction, sixteen of them underwent caecal bypass, while three horses only had typhlotomy, and one horse had a two-step procedure involving typhlotomy and caecal bypass.
- Five horses, or 25%, had primary caecal impactions; and in half of the cases, the impaction occurred after an orthopaedic surgery. Another 25% were identified with caecal impaction at a repeat celiotomy following previous colic surgery.
- About 65% of the horses survived until discharge, out of which 85% survived for the long term.
- Notably, all three horses who had only the typhlotomy without caecal bypass survived until discharge and in the long term.
Conclusions Drawn from the Study
- The results suggest a fair prognosis following caecal impaction surgery. If a horse survives until discharge, the future survival rates are considered to be good.
- The research concludes that surgery for caecal impaction carries a decent prognosis for a potentially life-threatening disease, particularly when caecal dysfunction is suspected.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith LC, Payne RJ, Boys Smith SJ, Bathe AP, Greet TR.
(2010).
Outcome and long-term follow-up of 20 horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction: a retrospective study (2000-2008).
Equine Vet J, 42(5), 388-392.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00087.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rossdales Equine Hospital, Cotton End Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. lewis.smith@rossdales.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cecum / pathology
- Cecum / surgery
- Fecal Impaction / surgery
- Fecal Impaction / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Gough RL, McGovern KF, Bladon BM, Carmichael LA. Caecal dysfunction following standing surgical procedures. Vet Med Sci 2022 Sep;8(5):1930-1935.
- Wormstrand BH, Ihler CF, Diesen R, Krontveit RI. Surgical treatment of equine colic - a retrospective study of 297 surgeries in Norway 2005-2011. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Jun 16;56(1):38.
- Westgarth S, Singh A, Vince AR. Subclinical cecal impaction in a dog. Can Vet J 2013 Feb;54(2):171-3.
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