Duodenojejunal mesenteric rents: Survival and complications after surgical correction in 38 broodmares (2006‐2014)

Abstract

Short-term and long-term survival was high relative to prior reports and mares surviving to discharge following mesenteric rent surgery had an excellent prognosis for long-term survival. Based on our data, closure of rents is recommended to prevent recurrence of colic, but may be unnecessary for survival.

Mesoduodenal rents: An uncommon cause of colic

“…In a 2016 case series of 38 broodmares with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents, the overall short‐ and long‐term survival rates were 76% and 74% respectively (Lawless et al . ). However, when adjusted for horses that survived to discharge, the long‐term survival rate was 97%.…”

“…In that case series, the typical location of the rent was at the junction of the mesoduodenum and proximal mesojejunum, axial to the caecum where the mesentery courses to its root, oftentimes extending into the attachment with the dorsal body wall (Lawless et al . ). This location is different from the one reported by Cypher et al .…”

“…; Lawless et al . ). The importance of knowing this literature prior to attempting a repair similar to that described in the present case report should be emphasised.…”

“…Reports of bowel entrapped within mesoduodenal rents are scarce (Phillips and Walmsley 1993;Gayle et al 2000;Sutter and Hardy 2004;Mair and Smith 2005). In a 2016 case series of 38 broodmares with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents, the overall short-and long-term survival rates were 76% and 74% respectively (Lawless et al 2016). However, when adjusted for horses that survived to discharge, the long-term survival rate was 97%.…”

“…The mesenteric rent was closed in 85% of the mares via the ventral midline celiotomy, oftentimes, partially blindly. They reported that failure to close the rent was associated with increased odds of colic after discharge but had no effect on survival (Lawless et al 2016). Of the mares with rents not closed during the initial surgery, two mares were examined for colic caused by re-entrapment of small intestine within the rent.…”