Abdominal Surgery in the Foal

Abstract

Summary It is suggested that the foal is a good subject for abdominal surgery, but indications for it are few. Operations for five specific conditions are described briefly with symptoms and diagnosis, viz: 1. Rupture of the urinary bladder. 2. Acute abdomen. Exploratory laporotomy in cases where acute mechanical obstruction of the bowel is suspected. 3. Hernias. Scrotal, umbilical and diaphragmatic. 4. Retention of meconium. 5. Abscessation of the umbilical vein. Since 1948, forty‐one foals have been operated upon with rupture of the bladder of which thirty‐nine were successful. Results of twenty‐four foals operated upon for acute abdomen were as follows: Twists of the ilium—20. Intussusception of the ilium—1. Gangrene of the caecum—2. Seven foals made uneventful recoveries following correction of twists or intussusception of the small intestine. The majority of these conditions arise as emergencies and it is emphasised that an early diagnosis is of prime importance if there is any hope of surgery being successful. Surgical intervention of foals in a moribund condition is considered unwise. Résumé Il semble que le foal soit particulièrement capable de supporter la chirurgie abdominale. Cependant les indications de cette chirurgie sont peu nombreuses. On décrit rapidement cinq conditions spécifiques où cette chirurgie est possible, en en résumant la symptomatologie et les éléments diagnostics. 1. La rupture de la vessie. 2. Le syndrome aigu d'occlusion: la laparotomie exploratrice dans les cas où une obstruction mécanique de l'intestin est suspectée. 3. Les hernies: hernies scrotales, ombilicales ou diaphragmatiques. 4. Les rétentions du méconium. 5. L'abcèdation de la veine ombilicale. Depuis 1948, 41 foals ont été opèré pour rupture de la vessie, 39 avec succès. En ce qui concerne les 24 foals opèrés pour suspicion d'occlusion les résultats s'établissent comme suit: 20 torsions de l'ileon. 1 Intussusception de l'ileon. 2 Gangrènes du caecum. Sept de ces animaux, à la suite d'une correction chirurgicale soit d'une torsion soit d'une intussusception, guèrirent normalement. La plupart de ces conditions se présentent comme des urgences et il est souligné combien un diagnostic précoce est important, pour donner à la chirurgie les plus grandes chances de réussite. L'intervention chirurgicale sur des foals moribonds est déconseillée. Zusammenfassung Das Fohlen ist nach der Ansicht des Authors sehr geeignet für abdominale Chirurgie, aber die Indikationen für derartige Eingriffe sind selten. Die Operation für 5 spezifische Krankheiten wird kurz beschrieben unter Einschluss von Symptomen und Diagnosen: 1. Ruptur der Harnblase. 2. Akute Bauchschmerzen. Probelaporotomie in Fällen bei denen eine akute mechanische Obstruktion des Darmes vermutet werden darf. 3. Brüche: Hoden‐ Nabel‐ und Zwerchfellshernie. 4. Retention von Meconium. 5. Abscedierung der Nabelvene. Seit 1948 wurden 41 Fohlen mit Harnblasenrupturen operiert, 39 davon mit Erfolg. Die Resultate von 24 Operationen wegen akuten Bauchschmerzen waren die folgenden: Ve...

Sympathetic innervation of the ileocecal junction in horses

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