Modified stapled jejunocecostomy in horses.

Objective: To develop a modified stapled (MS) jejunocecostomy (JC) in healthy horses.

Study design: In vivo experimental study.

Animals: Six healthy adult horses underwent ventral midline celiotomy, a jejunal resection, and an MS.

Methods: Time to complete anastomosis and anastomotic length at necropsy were recorded. Horses were assessed by physical examination every 6 h for 5 days after surgery, then once daily until euthanasia at 7 days. A group of seven horses that had a stapled side-to-side JC and were euthanized 28 days postoperatively was used as an historical control (SS).

Results: All MS horses recovered well, although one developed transient mild colic and another had a brief period of pyrexia and diarrhea. Postoperative heart rates returned to preoperative values shortly after surgery. At necropsy, the MS anastomoses appeared grossly to be healing well and formed a wide triangulated stoma. Times to complete the anastomosis (p = .49) and lumen size at necropsy (p = .32) were similar for both groups.

Conclusion: The MS method was performed with ease and appeared to function effectively. It produced a triangulated stoma that could facilitate flow and reduce the risk of impaction.

Clinical significance: This study supports the use of MS for JC in horses. Although the study size was small, the results compared favorably with historical data for a SS for JC in healthy horses. The elimination of oversewn ends simplifies the MS technique and allows a single application of the stapler, minimizing cost.