Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Caecal dysfunction following standing surgical procedures.
- Journal:
- Veterinary medicine and science
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Gough, Rachel L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Donnington Grove Veterinary Group · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at six horses that developed problems with their cecum (a part of the digestive system) after having surgery while they were standing and sedated. The surgeries included tooth extractions, removal of ovaries, and other procedures. Unfortunately, three of the horses had to be put down because their cecum had a serious tear when they were diagnosed. The other three horses had surgery to fix their cecal issues and survived, with follow-ups showing they were doing well two to twenty-four months later. This highlights the importance of closely watching horses after surgery to catch any cecal problems early and improve their chances of recovery.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to report cases of caecal dysfunction following surgical procedures in the standing horse. The study design is retrospective. Six client-owned horses developed caecal dysfunction following a variety of surgical procedures undertaken in the standing sedated horse. Medical records were reviewed for caecal dysfunctions that had occurred in horses within 2 weeks of standing surgical procedures. Signalment, details of the original standing surgery and medications administered were recorded. Short-term outcome was obtained from clinical records. Long-term outcome was obtained by telephone questionnaire with the owner. Six horses were identified to have developed caecal dysfunction following standing surgery for tooth extraction, laparoscopic ovariectomy, laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, fracture repair, melanoma removal and castration. Three horses were euthanised with caecal perforation at the time of diagnosis. Three underwent surgical treatment (typhlotomy, decompression and caecal bypass by ileocolostomy). All three horses were alive post-operatively (follow-up at 2, 12 and 24 months). Caecal dysfunction may develop following surgical procedures performed under standing sedation. Careful post-operative monitoring and early identification of caecal dysfunction, and consequent potential need for surgical intervention, are important to optimise outcomes and minimise the risk of fatal caecal perforation occurring.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35894758/