Retrospective Comparison of Gastrosplenic Entrapment of the Small Intestine to Other Strangulating Small Intestinal Lesions in Adult Horses.

The study investigates the entrapment of small intestines in horses by the gastrosplenic ligament and compares the clinical findings with other small intestine strangulation issues in horses. The researchers discovered that geldings and Quarter Horses are more prone to this condition, and survival rates are relatively high.

Research Methodology

• The study analyzed medical records spanning from January 2001 to December 2011. The records comprised horses that had undergone exploratory surgery (celiotomy) due to acute abdominal pain associated with strangulating small intestinal lesions.
• Various data such as the age and type of the horse, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic variables, surgical findings, and surgical procedures performed were all recorded. Additional data included postoperative information and short-term survival rates.

Key Findings

• The key clinical symptoms identified in horses with ESIGL included excessive nasogastric reflux and abnormal abdominal fluid.
• Horses with ESIGL were found to be more likely in need of intestinal resection and anastomosis. These horses also produced significantly less reflux postoperatively as compared to horses with other types of small intestinal obstructions.
• In terms of gender, geldings were significantly more likely to develop ESIGL than mares or stallions.
• When broken down by breed, Quarter Horses or similar breeds were found to have a higher predisposition to developing ESIGL.
• Survival to hospital discharge in horses with ESIGL was 72.7%, which was significantly higher than the 50% survival rate for horses with other small intestinal obstructions.

Conclusion of the Study

• The study concluded that ESIGL was more prevalent in the population of horses evaluated for acute abdominal pain than in previous studies, accounting for 10.7% of all horses with small intestinal lesions.
• It was found that geldings and Quarter Horses or Quarter Horse related breeds are predisposed to this condition.
• The prognosis for survival to hospital discharge for horses with this condition was deemed fair to good, indicating a favorable outcome for most horses.