Reevaluation of the effect of phenylephrine on resolution of nephrosplenic entrapment by the rolling procedure in 87 horses.

The research paper investigates the efficiency of a sickness treatment method in horses that involves ‘rolling’, a non-surgical technique, or surgery. In particular, it examines the influence of a drug, Phenylephrine HCl, on the effectiveness of the rolling procedure in treating nephrosplenic entrapment in the large colon of the horses.

Research Methodology

• The study directed attention to a case series involving 211 horses.
• These horses were diagnosed with ‘nephrosplenic entrapment of the large colon’ either by physical palpation, ultrasonography, exploratory surgery, or necropsy.
• Medical records from two referral centres spanning January 1, 2001, to September 1, 2008, were selected for the study.
• These records were used to obtain key elements such as the horses physical exam results, laboratory findings, ultrasonographic data, particular treatment given, any use of Phenylephrine HCl, and the treatment outcome.
• Rectal palpation was used to identify symptoms of nephrosplenic entrapment, through identification of the large colon within the nephrosplenic space or identifying bands from the colon heading towards this space.

Research Findings and Conclusions

• The rolling method was successful in about 58% of the horses, with a survival rate till discharge of the horses sitting at 98%.
• Horses that underwent surgical treatment, including some which had previously been subjected to the rolling technique, showed a 94% short-term survival rate.
• The application of Phenylephrine HCl before the rolling procedure did not significantly alter the success rate of the treatment (P=.91).
• Hence, the study concluded that premedication with Phenylephrine did not significantly impact the effectiveness of the rolling method used for the treatment of nephrosplenic entrapment in horses.