Duodenojejunal mesenteric rents: Survival and complications after surgical correction in 38 broodmares (2006-2014).
Authors: Lawless Shauna P, Werner Laura A, Baker W True, Hunt Robert J, Cohen Noah D
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Mesenteric Rents in Broodmares: Surgical Outcomes and Prognosis Duodenojejunal mesenteric rents—defects in the membrane supporting the small intestine—can cause life-threatening colic in horses, yet limited data exist on long-term outcomes following surgical repair. This retrospective review examined 38 Thoroughbred broodmares treated surgically for this condition between 2006 and 2014, tracking survival rates, postoperative complications, and breeding function through both hospital discharge and long-term follow-up (>12 months). Short-term survival to discharge was 76% overall (88% among horses that successfully recovered from anaesthesia), whilst long-term survival reached 74% overall and an impressive 97% for mares discharged from hospital; notably, all long-term survivors and 85% of those recovering from anaesthesia returned to breeding soundness. Younger mares (≤10 years) had significantly better odds of survival (6.2 times higher), whilst failure to surgically close the mesenteric rent did not compromise survival but was associated with increased risk of recurrent colic after discharge. For practitioners, these findings suggest that mesenteric rent surgery carries a reasonably favourable prognosis in broodmares—particularly younger animals—and whilst rent closure is advisable to prevent repeat episodes of colic, it may not be essential for immediate survival, allowing clinicians to tailor surgical approach based on individual patient factors and owner goals.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Mesenteric rent surgery in broodmares has good survival outcomes; mares that reach discharge have excellent long-term prognosis for returning to breeding
- •Younger mares (≤10 years) have substantially better surgical survival than older mares, which should inform case selection and owner counseling
- •Rent closure is recommended to prevent postoperative colic recurrence even though it doesn't affect survival
Key Findings
- •Short-term survival was 76% overall and 88% among horses recovering from general anesthesia
- •Long-term survival (>12 months) was 74% overall and 97% for mares surviving to discharge
- •Horses ≤10 years of age had significantly higher odds of survival (OR=6.2; 95% CI, 1.1-34.4)
- •Failure to close the rent was associated with increased odds of colic after discharge but did not affect survival