Return of showjumping horses to sporting activity after colic surgery.

Background: The return to performance after colic surgery is crucial for competition horses. While studies have investigated racehorse performance following colic surgery by analysing racing participation and earnings, this approach does not apply to showjumping horses, leaving a gap in the literature regarding their objective performance evaluation.

Objectives: To assess the short- and long-term survival and return to performance in showjumping horses after colic surgery.

Pectin-honey hydrogel to prevent laparotomy surgical site infection in horses: A pilot study.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication after celiotomy in horses, leading to increased morbidity and costs. Increased concern about antibiotic resistance justifies evaluation of alternative preventive approaches, such a Manuka honey which has displayed antimicrobial properties. Pectin-Honey Hydrogels (PHH), composed by Manuka honey and pectin provide a moist wound environment and microbial growth inhibition.

Anastomotic techniques for small intestinal obstruction in horses. A scoping review.

Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a significant cause of surgery in adult horses presenting with colic pain. SBOs often require resection and anastomosis. While various techniques for intestinal anastomoses have been developed, it remains uncertain if any fully meet our clinical needs.

The Effects of Pectin-Honey Hydrogel in a Contaminated Chronic Hernia Model in Rats.

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery. A previous study on rats evaluated the use of a Pectin-Honey Hydrogel (PHH)-coated polypropylene (PP) mesh for the healing of acute hernias. However, there are no studies investigating the use of PHH in association with PP mesh in chronic contaminated hernia.

Short-Term Survival and Postoperative Complications Rates in Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery: A Multicentre Study.

The occurrence of colic could be influenced by the characteristics of a population, geographical area, and feeding management. The aim of this study was to report the short-term postoperative complications and survival rates and to identify factors that might affect the outcome of horses that underwent colic surgery in three Italian surgical referral centres. Data of horses subjected to colic surgery in three referral centres (2018-2021) were analysed.

Ex vivo evaluation of a technique for equine jejunocecal anastomosis using radiofrequency thermofusion and a Cushing oversew.

Objective: To describe a technique for a side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses using radiofrequency thermofusion (TF) of the intestines supported by a Cushing oversew and to compare this anastomosis to handsewn and stapled techniques.

Study Design: Ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Intestinal tracts from 24 slaughtered horses.

Development of a classification system for equine postoperative complications and its application in a cohort of 190 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Background: Accurate reporting of postoperative complications is paramount to understanding procedural outcomes, comparing procedures and assuring quality improvement. Standardising definitions of complications in equine surgeries will improve the evidence of their outcomes. To this end, we proposed a classification for postoperative complications and applied it to a cohort of 190 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Use of a new device for inversion of the necrotic ileal stump in the caecum in four horses.

Background: In jejunocaecal anastomosis leaving a necrotic ileal stump has been implicated in complications and poor outcomes. Elective inversion of the necrotic stump using a nasogastric tube has been previously described, although this procedure can be cumbersome and can cause caecocolic orifice occlusion.

Objective: To describe the use of a new device for elective inversion of necrotic ileal stumps.

Occurrence and Definitions of Intra and Postoperative Complications Related to Laparoscopy in Equids: A Scoping Review.

Laparoscopy is a common approach in equine surgery and has the advantage of improved visibility and diagnostic accuracy, decreased morbidity and hospitalization time. However, despite the numerous benefits, there can be intraoperative and postoperative complications which could have important welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the occurrence, definition and classification of intra and postoperative complications in equine laparoscopy.

Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report.

Reducing postoperative incisional infection is the main reason to administer postoperative antimicrobials (AMD) after emergency laparotomy in horses, while reducing inflammation and providing analgesia are the reasons to administer anti-inflammatory drugs (AID). The basis for postoperative AMD and AID administration is empirical and only recently has been questioned. Empirical approaches can be changed, and these changes, along with the description of their outcomes, can help produce appropriate stewardship.

Scoping review: Occurrence and definitions of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery.

Background: Postoperative complications frequently occur following equine colic surgery but there is a lack of consistency in their definitions and reporting.

Objectives: To perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the definitions and classifications of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery.

Study Design: Evidence review.

Transillumination Techniques for Vessel Identification During Small Colon Resection in Six Horses.

Background: Transillumination has been described in human surgery to improve vessel visualization but has not been described in horses. Since the equine mesocolon contains a great amount of fat which restricts visualization of the vessels, this technique could be useful during small colon resection.

Objectives: To describe transillumination of the mesocolon to provide an improved vessel identification during resection and anastomosis of the small colon in horses.

Combination of end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis and side-to-side incomplete ileocecal bypass (hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis) following subtotal ileal resection in seven horses.

Case Description: 7 horses (3 geldings, 2 mares, and 2 stallions) were examined because of acute colic caused by small intestinal obstruction involving the aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum.

Clinical Findings: All horses underwent a routine colic examination on arrival and had a diagnosis of strangulating obstruction of the small intestine.

Treatment And Outcome: All horses underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy, in which the affected aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum were resected; in 5 horses, a hand-sewn end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis was combined with a hand-sewn incomplete ileocecal bypass to produce a hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis.

Comparison of liberal and goal-directed fluid therapy after small intestinal surgery for strangulating lesions in horses.

Background: There are few guidelines for the appropriate mode of fluid administration during and after colic surgery, and is challenging to reach the right balance while avoiding overhydration. This study aimed to compare goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) and 'liberal' fluid regimens (LFRs) in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery.

Methods: Eighteen horses subjected to small intestinal surgery were matched according to the surgical lesion, type of anastomosis, length of resection, and duration of clinical signs.

In Vivo Evaluation of a Pectin-Honey Hydrogel Coating on Polypropylene Mesh in a Rat Model of Acute Hernia.

Investigations about ventral hernia repair are focused on improving the quality, resistance, and biocompatibility of mesh. This study compared plain polypropylene mesh with a pectin-honey hydrogel-coated polypropylene mesh in an acute hernia model in rats. Forty Wistar rats, randomly assigned to two groups, were submitted to laparotomy, and a 1 cm × 2 cm fascial defect was created, centered on the midline.

Effect of sugar metabolite methylglyoxal on equine lamellar explants: An ex vivo model of laminitis.

Laminitis is one of the most devastating diseases in equine medicine, and although several etiopathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed, few clear answers have been identified to date. Several lines of evidence point towards its underlying pathology as being metabolism-related. In the carbonyl stress pathway, sugars are converted to methylglyoxal (MG)-a highly reactive α-oxoaldehyde, mainly derived during glycolysis in eukaryotic cells from the triose phosphates: D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate.

Gastric and Large Colon Impactions Combined With Aggressive Enteral Fluid Therapy May Predispose to Large Colon Volvulus: 4 Cases.

To resolve large colon impactions, frequent enteral administration of large volumes of water (8-10 liters in a 500 kg horse) has been suggested. Furthermore, in large colon volvulus, the simultaneous presence of gastric impaction has been described as a possible predisposing factor. To describe the clinical and surgical features of horses with large colon volvulus associated with aggressive enteral fluid therapy performed to resolve an initial large colon impaction.

Comparison of Mesh and Barbed Suture for Laparoscopic Nephrosplenic Space Ablation in Horses.

Nephrosplenic space (NSS) ablation has been demonstrated to be an effective technique for prevention of left dorsal displacement of the large colon and multiple laparoscopic techniques, among which ablation with mesh or with a barbed suture, have been proposed. Our objective was to compare two laparoscopic techniques for closure of the NSS in twenty-eight horses diagnosed with nephrosplenic entrapment. Medical records of horses that had laparoscopic NSS ablation in two referral centers between 2017-2019 were retrieved.

Incomplete Ileocecal Bypass for Ileal Pathology in Horses: 21 Cases (2012-2019).

Background: Incomplete ileocecal bypass can be performed in cases in which an ileal disfunction is suspected but resection of the diseased ileum is not necessary.

Objectives: To describe the clinical findings, the surgical technique, and the outcome of 21 cases of colic with ileal pathologies that underwent an incomplete ileocecal bypass.

Methods: Historical, clinical, and surgical features of cases diagnosed with pathologies involving the ileum or the ileocecal valve that underwent ileocecal anastomosis without ileal resection were retrieved.

Ex vivo comparison of sliding knot ligatures vs. haemostatic clips for equine small intestinal mesenteric vessel occlusion.

Background: In equine abdominal surgery, resection and anastomosis of strangulated intestine is a commonly performed procedure. To date, ligatures, vessel sealing devices and the ligate-divide stapler have been described for this use in horses. The objective of this study was to compare the application of haemostatic clips and ligatures to occlude equine mesenteric vessels.

Evaluation of three ligatures in simulated equine open castration.

Objective: To compare three surgical knots for preventing leakage from the vascular bundle during ligation in simulated equine open castrations.

Study Design: Randomized, case-control, in vitro study.

Sample Population: Testes (N = 60) collected from 30 horses.

Ex vivo comparison of barbed and unbarbed sutures for the closure of caecal and pelvic flexure enterotomies in horses.

In this study the caecum and large colon were harvested from 24 slaughtered horses. On each sample, an 8‑cm long enterotomy was performed. Enterotomies were closed using either barbed or unbarbed glycomer‑631.

Preliminary results on the association with feeding and recovery length in equine colic patients after laparotomy.

Colic is a serious disease for horses and the nutritional management of postoperative colic patients is an extremely important field. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the different factors, especially related to nutritional management, that may be associated with recovery length during hospitalization after a surgical intervention for colic, using a multivariate model. Data were collected from the records of horses presented to two hospitals and undergoing surgery for colic.

Comparison of two different barbed suture materials for end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis in pigs.

Background: Hand-sewn intestinal anastomoses are a fundamental procedure in both open and laparoscopic intestinal surgery. Self-retaining barbed suture devices have been tested for a variety of surgical applications. With the exception of clinical reports and various experimental studies on enterotomy, little has been published so far on the use of barbed suture for end-to-end intestinal anastomoses.