Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical repair of an esophageal stricture in a horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Craig, D & Todhunter, R
- Affiliation:
- New York State College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old quarterhorse was found to have a narrowing in its esophagus, which was confirmed through special imaging tests. The horse initially received medical treatment and underwent two surgeries, but these did not fix the problem and even made it worse at one point. The second surgery improved the size of the esophagus slightly, but it still didn’t fully solve the issue. Finally, a more complex two-step surgical approach was used, which involved creating a temporary opening in the esophagus to help stabilize it, followed by a procedure to remove the scar tissue. Six months after this last surgery, the horse was doing well and was able to eat normally again.
Abstract
An esophageal stricture was diagnosed in a 9-month-old quarterhorse by esophagoscopy and positive pressure contrast esophagography. Medical management and two attempts at surgical intervention were unsuccessful. The initial surgical technique used was a linear esophagotomy, mucosal resection and anastomosis, and closure of the muscular tunic, which resulted in a more severe stricture. The second surgical procedure was interruption of the stricture cicatrix by a single linear esophagotomy and primary closure of only the esophageal muscular tunic. This technique resulted in an increased lumen diameter, but failed to adequately resolve the stricture. Successful resolution of the stricture with return to a normal diet was achieved by a two stage repair using formation of an esophagostomy to stabilize the esophagus, followed by fenestration of the mucosal-submucosal cicatrix. Six months postoperatively, the horse was asymptomatic on a normal diet.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3507152/