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Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 52(2); 308-314; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13927

Surgical enlargement of the epiploic foramen in horses.

Abstract: To assess the safety and efficacy of a method for digitally enlarging the caudal aspect of the epiploic foramen (EF). Methods: Healthy horses and clinical cases of EF entrapment (EFE). Methods: Fourteen healthy horses and three clinical cases. Methods: Through a ventral midline celiotomy under general anesthesia, the EF was enlarged by digital separation of the caudal attachments of the caudate lobe of the liver from right dorsal colon, right kidney, gastropancreatic fold, and pancreas. Healthy horses were euthanized under anesthesia, and the enlarged EF was measured at necropsy. Results: The method used for enlarging the EF did not cause clinically relevant hemorrhage, as determined by visual inspection of the EF in 14 horses at necropsy and by vital parameters under anesthesia in all horses. In clinical cases, EFE was reduced following enlargement of the EF, and no intraoperative complications were encountered. In one clinical case, necropsy at 30 days confirmed partial closure of the enlarged EF. Conclusions: The method proposed enlarged the EF safely and effectively. Limitations of the study include the small number of clinical cases and the lack of postoperative follow-up on the healthy horses. Conclusions: Enlargement of the EF at its caudal extent should be considered in selected cases of EFE in which manual reduction is difficult or protracted. Although the procedure was safe in this study, knowledge of the anatomy, practice on cadavers, and careful selection of cases with greatest need are recommended before clinical use.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-20 PubMed ID: 36537220DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13927Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the safety and efficiency of a surgical method used for enlarging the epiploic foramen in horses. The study involved healthy horses and clinically affected ones and found the method to be safe, significantly reduced EF entrapment, and didn’t induce clinically relevant hemorrhage.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved fourteen healthy horses and three clinical cases, with the aim of evaluating a method for enlarging the epiploic foramen (EF) in horses.
  • The procedure was done through a ventral midline celiotomy under general anesthesia. The EF was enlarged by separating the caudal attachments of the caudate lobe of the liver from the right dorsal colon, right kidney, gastropancreatic fold, and pancreas.
  • Following the procedure, the healthy horses were euthanized under anesthesia, and the enlarged EF was measured at necropsy.

Results

  • The results showed that the method used to enlarge the EF did not cause clinically significant hemorrhage as observed during visual inspection of the EF at necropsy and by assessing vital parameters under anesthesia.
  • In the clinical cases, the entrapment of the EF was reduced after the enlargement of the EF. There were no intraoperative complications encountered.
  • In one of the clinical cases, a necropsy conducted 30 days later showed a partial closure of the enlarged EF.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that the surgical method safely and effectively enlarged the EF.
  • The limitations of the study included the small number of clinical cases, and lack of postoperative follow-up for the healthy horses.
  • Despite the procedure proving safe in this study, the researchers recommend knowledge of the anatomy, practice on cadavers, and careful selection of cases before use in clinical practice.

This study provides promising insights into the EF enlargement procedure in horses, but further research with a larger sample size and postoperative follow-ups in healthy horses is required for a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects and potential complications.

Cite This Article

APA
Wanstrath MA, Bauck AG, Smith AD, Freeman DE. (2022). Surgical enlargement of the epiploic foramen in horses. Vet Surg, 52(2), 308-314. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13927

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 308-314

Researcher Affiliations

Wanstrath, Meghan A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA.
Bauck, Anje G
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Smith, Andrew D
  • Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care, Ocala, Florida, USA.
Freeman, David E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses / surgery
  • Laparotomy / veterinary
  • Peritoneal Cavity / anatomy & histology
  • Peritoneal Cavity / surgery
  • Postoperative Period

Grant Funding

  • Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Fund

References

This article includes 29 references
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