Case report: Incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy in five horses with acute, non-reducible cecocolic intussusceptions and review of literature.
Authors: Troillet Antonia, Scharner Doreen
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
Cecocolic intussusceptions represent a surgical emergency in horses with limited conservative treatment options, yet optimal surgical management remains poorly defined due to sparse clinical literature. This five-horse case series documents outcomes following incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy between 2009 and 2024, with follow-up periods extending to nine years post-operatively. All five horses survived surgery with only minor transient complications (mild colic and fever) during hospitalisation, and all returned to or exceeded their previous level of work—a considerably better outcome than the 53% long-term survival rate reported across the broader literature. When ileocolostomy without typhlectomy cases (49 horses total) were pooled and analysed, the survival rate reached 100%, suggesting this technique warrants greater consideration as an alternative to traditional partial cecal amputation, particularly given the authors' refinement of mesenteric gap closure which may reduce complications. For practitioners managing acute, non-reducible cecocolic intussusceptions, this evidence strengthens the case for referral centres experienced in bypass procedures, as the technique appears to offer comparable or superior long-term outcomes while preserving maximum cecal tissue function.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without typhlectomy is a viable surgical option for non-reducible cecocolic intussusceptions with excellent long-term outcomes in this small series
- •Mesenteric gap closure appears to be an important technical refinement that may improve outcomes
- •Expect mild short-term complications like transient colic post-operatively, but successful cases return to previous performance levels
Key Findings
- •Five horses treated with incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy achieved 100% long-term survival (1-9 year follow-up)
- •Minor short-term complications included transient mild colic and febrile episodes during hospitalization
- •All horses returned to or exceeded their previous level of use postoperatively
- •Literature review of 49 horses treated with ileocolostomy without typhlectomy showed 42 recovered (85.7% surgical success), with 53% overall long-term survival rate