Small-intestinal volvulus as a complication of acquired inguinal hernia in two horses.

This research article discusses two instances of small-intestinal volvulus (twisting of the intestine) in horses caused by acquired inguinal hernia. The article recommends abdominal exploration as a diagnostic procedure when hernia causes acute obstruction in the small intestine of horses.

Objectives and Methods

• The study aimed to investigate the complication of small-intestinal volvulus as a result of acquired inguinal herniation (protrusion of a part of the intestine through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles) in two horses.
• The researchers utilized surgical exploration and intervention to diagnose and treat the condition in both horses.
• The diagnosis of volvulus, its complications, and the treatment methods were recorded in detail.

Findings

• In the first case, the horse continued to exemplify signs of distress even after the hernia’s reduction. During a second surgical intervention, volvulus was diagnosed. However, by this time, the portion of the twisted intestine had died, leading to the decision to euthanize the horse.
• In the second horse, a joint ventral midline and inguinal approach for surgical exploration resulted in the successful diagnosis and correction of a small-intestinal volvulus. The horse survived due to the timely intervention.
• In both cases, they observed that the small-intestinal volvulus was a direct complication of the acquired inguinal hernia.

Implications

• These findings underline the risks associated with inguinal hernia in horses, particularly the complication of small-intestinal volvulus.
• Given the fatal outcome in the absence of timely intervention, the authors suggest that ventral midline exploratory surgery should be performed when inguinal herniation is suspected to cause acute small-intestinal obstruction in horses.
• This could help in early detection of a possible volvulus and stop development of severe, potentially fatal consequences.