Right dorsal colon resection and bypass for treatment of right dorsal colitis in a horse.

The article describes a novel surgical approach for managing right dorsal colitis, a stomach inflammation in horses, especially when conventional medical treatments fail. The surgery involved resecting the inflamed part of the horse’s colon then creating a bypass. Although the procedure successfully resolved the initial health issues, it led to a deep surgical site infection and subsequent intrathoracic abscess, which required further interventions and long-term antimicrobial treatment.

Introduction

• The research presents an innovative surgical technique to treat right dorsal colitis in horses.
• The disease usually presents with symptoms like stromal abscess and hypoproteinemia, both of which were observed in the horse utilized in this case study.

Procedure

• After medical treatment presented no improvements, the decision was made to proceed with surgical treatment.
• With the horse under general anesthesia, the surgeons approached the affected area through an incision made at the level of the sixteenth rib.
• The procedure involved resecting the thickened right dorsal colon (RDC) and creating a bypass via side-to-side anastomosis of the diaphragmatic flexure to the small colon.
• The thoracic cavity, which was entered during the surgical procedure, was subsequently closed by attaching the diaphragm to the abdominal wall and draining any residual air post-surgery.

Results

• The surgery effectively treated the right dorsal colitis, and the colic signs and hypoproteinemia were resolved.
• However, the surgery resulted in a deep surgical site infection and the formation of a large abscess within the horse’s thoracic cavity.
• Both complications were managed successfully— the infection through drainage and subsequent long-term antimicrobial treatment, and the abscess through surgical drainage.

Conclusion

• Based on the case study, the authors conclude that right dorsal colitis can be treated effectively with resection and bypass of the RDC.
• In surgical situations where the thoracic cavity is accessed, the diaphragm should be sutured to the body wall at the beginning of surgery. This precaution is proposed as an important step to prevent the development of infections within the thoracic cavity.
• They suggest that this surgical treatment could serve as an alternative for managing horses diagnosed with right dorsal colitis, particularly when conventional medical treatments are ineffective.