Prevalence of Gastric Ulceration in Horses with Enterolithiasis Compared with Horses with Simple Large Intestinal Obstruction.

Enterolithiasis is a well-documented cause of colic in horses, especially in some geographic areas such as California and Florida. This retrospective case-control study aims at comparing the prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses affected by enterolithiasis to that in horses affected by other types of large intestinal obstruction. Two hundred and ninety-six horses were included in the study sample.

Removal of equine cryptorchid testes through an enlarged umbilical portal in dorsally recumbent horses after intra-abdominal laparoscopic castration.

Background: Laparoscopic removal of cryptorchid testes has been routinely reported through enlarged parainguinal incisions in dorsally recumbent horses. Outcomes following removal through an extended umbilical incision have not been previously reported.

Objective: To describe the surgical technique of removing cryptorchid testes in dorsally recumbent horses through an enlarged umbilical portal after laparoscopic intra-abdominal castration.

Evaluation of racing performance after colic surgery in Thoroughbreds: 85 cases (1996-2010).

Objective: To determine racing performance after surgery for colic in Thoroughbreds.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Animals: 85 racing Thoroughbreds that survived to discharge following colic surgery and 170 race-matched reference horses.

Comparison of the accuracy of radiography and ultrasonography for detection of articular lesions in horses.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of ultrasonographic and radiographic examination for evaluation of articular lesions in horses.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Animals: Horses (n = 137) with articular lesions.

Difference in incisional complications following exploratory celiotomies using antibacterial-coated suture material for subcutaneous closure: Prospective randomised study in 100 horses.

Reasons For Performing Study: Incisional complications are a major post operative challenge following ventral midline exploratory celiotomy for abdominal pain in horses. They lead to discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation, longer recovery times and increased cost; therefore, investigation of preventative procedures are warranted.

Objectives: To determine the clinical effect of antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture material on the likelihood of incisional infections when used for closure of subcutaneous tissue following ventral midline celiotomies in horses.

Large colon resection and anastomosis in horses: 52 cases (1996-2006).

Reasons For Performing Study: Large colon resection and anastomosis (LCRA) is the most aggressive method of surgical management of a colon with questionable viability. Currently, published studies are comprised mostly of broodmares and discuss short-term survival.

Objectives: To determine the prognosis for survival after LCRA in a diverse population of horses, report the incidence of post operative complications, and determine if associations between analysed variables and survival rate exist.

Thoracoscopy in horses.

With the recent development of video-assisted thoracic surgery, visual inspection of the thoracic cavity has been used to provide a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis of thoracic diseases and to better manage these diseases. Equipment, techniques, and complications for standing thoracoscopy in horses are described.

External skeletal fixation in the management of equine mandibular fractures: 16 cases (1988-1998).

Fifty-three cases of equine mandibular fractures were managed surgically from 1988-1998, of which 16 (30%) were repaired by external skeletal fixation (ESF). Three surgical methods were utilised: transmandibular 4.76 or 6.

Laparoscopically assisted resection of umbilical structures in foals.

A technique for laparoscopically assisted resection of umbilical structures in foals was developed. Eleven foals ranging from 8 to 42 days old underwent this procedure. Results of bacteriologic culture of umbilical structures were positive in 7 foals.

Thoracoscopy in the horse: diagnostic and therapeutic indications in 28 cases.

Thirty-two thoracoscopies were performed in 28 horses. Sixteen horses were affected with pleuropneumonia whereas 12 were affected with various other thoracic conditions. The indications for thoracoscopy was diagnostic in 19 cases, therapeutic in 11 cases and both diagnostic and therapeutic in 2 cases.

Laparoscopic intra-abdominal ligation and removal of cryptorchid testes in horses.

Laparoscopic intra-abdominal ligation and removal of cryptorchid testes in horses was evaluated retrospectively in 50 horses that underwent the procedure between 1991 and 1996. Sixty-one cryptorchid testes were removed by one of the following methods; the use of 1) an endoscoping stapling and transection device, 2) an endoscopic clipping device, 3) an endoscopic ligating loop. Monopolar electrosurgery was combined with these methods to facilitate coagulation and cutting of tissue.

Advances in diagnostic techniques for horses with colic.

Recent advances in the use of abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopy, radiography, and peritoneal fluid analysis have contributed to the evaluation of horses with colic. Improved diagnostic capabilities allow earlier surgical intervention when necessary, and this should improve survival rates and the economic aspects of case management.

Use of diagnostic ultrasonography in horses with signs of acute abdominal pain.

Objective: To evaluate the use of abdominal ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in horses with signs of colic.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 226 horses with signs of acute abdominal pain were compared to 20 clinical normal horses.

Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy in two stallions.

Two mature stallions that were used for breeding purposes were admitted for evaluation of inguinal hernias. In 1 horse, the hernia was reduced per rectum by gentle traction applied to the intestine. In the other horse, the hernia was reduced by placing the horse in dorsal recumbency and applying external pressure over the scrotum.

Retrograde contrast radiography of the distal portions of the intestinal tract in foals.

A technique for retrograde contrast radiography of the distal portions of the intestinal tract of foals was developed and then performed in 25 foals (1 to 30 days old) with colic. Retrograde contrast radiography was shown to be sensitive (100%) and specific (100%) for evaluating obstruction of the small colon or transverse colon. It was slightly less sensitive (86%) and specific (83%) for evaluation of the entire large colon, particularly in older foals.

Small intestinal herniation through the epiploic foramen: 53 cases (1987-1993).

The incidence of epiploic entrapment of the small intestine in horses undergoing celiotomy for colic was 5%. The condition was more prevalent in older (mean 9.81 years) gelding and Thoroughbred horses.

Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in horses.

Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy was successfully performed in 15 standing or recumbent horses. In 3 horses, owners believed that castrations had been performed, but the horses had retained stallion-like behavior. Successful removal of undescended testes in these horses stopped this behavior.

Standing laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic procedures can replace many more invasive procedures. Guided visceral biopsy, cryptorchid castration, ovariectomy, and limited abdominal exploration may be done laparoscopically in the standing horse.

Diagnostic and prognostic procedures for equine colic surgery.

Evaluation of the horse with colic has always been challenging since the patient's large size precludes many of the diagnostic imaging procedures commonly used in human medicine. Diagnostic methods such as radiography, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and peritoneal fluid analysis can serve to increase the accuracy of presurgical evaluation. Prognosis in individual cases can be best predicted by careful analysis of selected clinicopathological data, physical examination findings, and surgical biopsies.

Intensive care of the patient after abdominal surgery.

After surgical correction of the underlying abdominal disorder, careful postoperative care is the most important factor resulting in increased survival rates. Intensive care of the postoperative patient can be done practically and economically.