Small intestine incarceration through the epiploic foramen of the horse.
Abstract: Fifteen horses were referred to Purdue University or to the University of Georgia because of colic. Each of these horses had small intestine incarcerated through the epiploic foramen. However, signs of pain, gastric reflux, and small intestine distention were not consistent signs, as would have been expected with small intestine strangulation/obstruction. In 10 of the 15 cases, abdominal fluid analysis provided the decisive information needed for surgical intervention. Surgery was performed in 14 cases. The small intestine was incarcerated through the epiploic foramen in a right-to-left direction in 12 cases and in a left-to-right direction in 3 cases. The intestinal incarceration was reduced by gentle traction on the adjacent unaffected intestine. Resection and anastomosis were performed in 10 cases. Twelve of the 14 surgical patients died, and it was believed that the failure to intervene surgically at an earlier time contributed to these poor results. Surgery was delayed in most cases because of the inconsistent clinical signs observed in these horses. It was concluded that small intestine incarceration through the epiploic foramen should be suspected in any case of colic that has inconsistent physical findings and does not resolve in short time. Further, serial abdominal fluid analysis should be used in such cases in order to detect changes or trends that would indicate a lesion requiring surgical intervention.
Publication Date: 1984-03-15 PubMed ID: 6725109
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates cases of colic in horses due to the small intestine getting trapped in the epiploic foramen. Despite expectations, pain, gastric reflux, and bowel distention were not consistent signs. Abdominal fluid analyses were crucial for deciding on surgical intervention. However, due to inconsistent clinical signs, surgery was often delayed, resulting in poor outcomes. The study highlights the need to suspect such incarceration in any colic case with inconsistent physical symptoms and the importance of regular abdominal fluid analysis.
Research Background
- The research was conducted at Purdue University and the University of Georgia on fifteen horses that were referred due to colic.
- All the horses had their small intestine lodged through the epiploic foramen, a condition that potentially causes serious health effects.
Key Findings
- Predictable signs such as pain, gastric reflux, and distention of the small intestine were inconsistent across the sample.
- Abdominal fluid analysis was an instrumental tool, providing crucial data for the decision to intervene surgically in 10 of the 15 cases.
Surgery and Treatment
- In 14 of the cases, surgery was carried out.
- The locations of the small intestine incarcerations varied: in 12 cases, it was in a right-to-left direction and in 3 cases, it was in a left-to-right direction.
- The surgery involved reducing the intestinal incarceration, usually by applying gentle traction to the adjacent unaffected intestine.
- In 10 cases, a procedure known as resection and anastomosis was required.
Outcome and Conclusions
- Despite the surgical interventions, 12 of the 14 surgical cases ended in the deaths of the patients.
- The researchers attributed these poor outcomes to the late surgical intervention, mainly due to the inconsistent clinical signs.
- The study concludes that small intestine incarceration through the epiploic foramen should be suspected in any case presenting with colic and inconsistent physical findings.
- Furthermore, the research emphasizes the value of serial abdominal fluid analysis in detecting changes that could indicate the need for surgical intervention.
Cite This Article
APA
Turner TA, Adams SB, White NA.
(1984).
Small intestine incarceration through the epiploic foramen of the horse.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 184(6), 731-734.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / etiology
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Intestinal Obstruction / diagnosis
- Intestinal Obstruction / surgery
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Intestine, Small / pathology
- Male
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Asin J, Nyaoke AC, Samol MA, Arthur RM, Uzal FA. Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated disease, epiploic foramen entrapment, and gastric rupture in a Thoroughbred racehorse: case report and literature review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 Sep;34(5):913-917.
- Livesey MA, Little CB, Boyd C. Fatal hemorrhage associated with incarceration of small intestine by the epiploic foramen in three horses. Can Vet J 1991 Jul;32(7):434-6.
- Vasey JR. Incarceration of the small intestine by the epiploic foramen in fifteen horses. Can Vet J 1988 Apr;29(4):378-82.
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