J-incision to approach the cranial abdomen in the adult horse.

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To describe a modified celiotomy to improve access to cranial abdominal structures in horses.<h4>Animals</h4>Four horses.<h4>Study design</h4>Short case series.<h4>Methods</h4>Three horses with gastric impactions were treated with gastrotomies. One horse was treated for a diaphragmatic hernia with herniorrhaphy and mesh augmentation. In all horses, the ventral midline celiotomy was modified cranially with a J-incision through the body wall, along the paracostal arch.<h4>Results</h4>The only surgical complications were midline incisional infections in all horses. Three of the four horses had good long-term outcomes; the remaining horse underwent euthanasia for reasons likely unrelated to incisional complications.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The J-incision improved access to the stomach and diaphragm in these horses. The paracostal component healed in all cases without evidence of infection or dehiscence.<h4>Clinical significance</h4>This modified celiotomy may be considered to improve access during gastrotomy and repair of dorsally located diaphragmatic hernias.