Resection and anastomosis of the descending colon in 43 horses.
Authors: Prange Timo, Holcombe Susan J, Brown Jennifer A, Dechant Julie E, Fubini Susan L, Embertson Rolf M, Peroni John, Rakestraw Peter C, Hauptman Joe G
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Descending Colon Resection and Anastomosis in Horses: A Multi-Centre Analysis Small colon resection and anastomosis is performed in equine practice when disease or trauma necessitates removal of affected tissue, yet limited data exist on outcomes across multiple institutions. This multi-centre retrospective study reviewed 43 horses undergoing descending colon resection and anastomosis across seven referral hospitals between 1995 and 2009, examining short-term survival (to hospital discharge), long-term survival (≥6 months post-discharge), and perioperative complications. Overall, 84% of horses (36/43) were successfully discharged from hospital, with 93% of those with follow-up information (28/30) surviving beyond six months; strangulating lipomas accounted for the majority of cases (n=27), followed by postfoaling trauma, infarction, and intraluminal obstruction. Whilst postoperative fever and diarrhoea were common complications, only seven horses did not survive to discharge, primarily due to septic peritonitis (n=3), endotoxaemia (n=3), and colic with ileus (n=1), and notably, no perioperative factors significantly predicted short-term survival outcomes. These results support a favourable prognosis for horses requiring small colon resection when managed at referral facilities, though practitioners should remain vigilant for infectious complications that may necessitate aggressive medical support during the immediate postoperative period.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Descending colon resection and anastomosis offers good long-term prognosis—expect 84% hospital discharge and 93% survival beyond 6 months when managing small colon obstructions
- •Be prepared for strangulating lipoma as the primary indication; monitor post-op horses closely for fever, diarrhea, and signs of peritonitis or endotoxemia as these are the main life-threatening complications
- •Perioperative management decisions (timing, medical vs. surgical factors) did not significantly affect short-term survival in this series, suggesting that appropriate surgical intervention itself is the key prognostic factor
Key Findings
- •84% of horses (36/43) were discharged from hospital following descending colon resection and anastomosis
- •93% of horses with follow-up data (28/30) survived ≥6 months after discharge
- •Strangulating lipoma was the most common cause of descending colon incarceration (27/43 cases, 63%)
- •Postoperative complications included fever and diarrhea; septic peritonitis, endotoxemia, and ileus were causes of inpatient mortality