Surgical treatment of intramural esophageal inclusion cysts in three horses.

This study discusses the surgical treatment of esophageal inclusion cysts in three horses. The research suggests that marsupialization might be a better treatment choice than surgical removal for some types of these cysts in horses.

Background of the Study

• The research focuses on a rare condition in horses known as esophageal inclusion cysts. These are benign cysts that cause specific symptoms including difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), swelling in the neck region of the esophagus, and excessive saliva production (salivation).
• There were three horses included in the study, each diagnosed with the aforementioned condition.

Procedure and Findings

• For two of the horses, surgical removal of the cysts was attempted. Although the horses survived the surgery, there were multiple complications. An unintended opening was created in the esophagus (esophageal fistulation), and damage occurred to the nerves and blood vessels (neurovascular damage).
• In the third horse, a different surgical technique, known as marsupialization, was performed. This procedure involves making an opening into the cyst and suturing the cutting edges to form a pouch like a marsupial’s pouch. The cyst is able to continually drain and shrink, alleviating the pressure of the cyst on the throat and making swallowing easier.
• Post marsupialization, it was observed that the surgical opening (stoma) completely healed 3 weeks after the operation without any complications. Moreover, an endoscopic examination revealed a grossly normal esophagus, indicating a successful recovery.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that for selected cases of esophageal inclusion cysts in horses, marsupialization may be a more favorable treatment procedure.
• Based on the outcomes of the three cases studied, marsupialization yielded less post-operative complications as compared to surgical removal, suggesting it might be a safer and equally effective treatment option for this condition in horses.