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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Use of gastrotomy to relieve esophageal obstruction in a horse.

Journal:
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Year:
1991
Authors:
Orsini, J A et al.
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

A gelding horse had a blockage in his esophagus that lasted for a week, which was found using special imaging and a scope. The blockage was caused by a mass of food stuck at the point where the esophagus meets the stomach. To fix this, the veterinarians made an incision in the abdomen and carefully removed the blockage. After surgery, the horse was able to eat special pellet food and drink water starting on the fifth day. More than a year later, the horse was doing well and showed no further issues.

Abstract

Esophageal obstruction of 1 week's duration in a gelding was diagnosed by contrast radiography and esophagoscopy. A food bolus was found at the junction of the caudal thoracic portion of the esophagus and the cardia. A gastrotomy was performed through a cranial abdominal incision and a phytobezoar was manually broken down and removed. The gelding was started on complete pellet food and water on the fifth day after surgery. The horse remained clinically normal more than 1 year after surgery.

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2004994/