Comparison of two techniques to blind end jejunum and ileum for jejunocaecostomy in horses.

Background: Jejunocaecostomy (JC) is frequently required to bypass diseased ileum as a side-to-side (SS) anastomosis with blind end closure of the small intestine. The effects of the blind end closure method on the performance of the anastomosis have not been studied.

Objectives: To compare handsewn and stapled blind end closures of the ileum and jejunum.

Study Design: In vivo experiments.

Methods: JC was performed with either Parker-Kerr (PK; 6 horses) or oversewn stapled technique (OS; 6 horses) to close jejunum and ileum for an SS anastomosis. At surgery, peritoneal fluid was analysed and various anastomotic measurements and time to complete the anastomosis were recorded. Physical and haematological findings and serum amyloid A (SAA) were recorded postoperatively. At necropsy on day 7, anastomotic measurements and peritoneal fluid analysis were repeated. Tissues collected at surgery and necropsy underwent histological and immunohistological evaluations.

Results: Two PK horses developed intussusception of the jejunal blind end into the caecum and another PK horse was euthanised because of anastomotic impaction. One OS horse had mild postoperative colic. Postoperative peripheral neutrophil counts and SAA were similar between groups but SAA significantly (0.5 mg/L [0.3, 0.7], p < 0.001) increased with time in both. The OS jejunal blind ends (4.7 cm [4.41, 6.85]) were significantly larger (PK = 3.5 cm [3.3, 4.08], p = 0.004) and the OS blind ends (18.6 min ± 1.32) were significantly slower to complete (11.3 min ± 0.37, p = 0.002). Inflammation developed between the everting staple line and inverting suture line in the OS closure and along transected edges in the PK. Peritoneal fluid total protein increased significantly between surgery (19 g/L [19, 19]) and necropsy (34 g/L [30, 41], p < 0.001) without differences between groups.

Main Limitations: Small sample size and short follow-up.

Conclusion: Both blind-end techniques could be acceptable, although more complications developed with the PK method. The anastomotic intussusceptions were unexpected and possibly unique to the anastomotic design.