Surgical management of small intestinal incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament: 14 cases (1994–2006)

Abstract

ISIGL was an uncommon cause of colicin this hospital population. With appropriate surgical intervention and postoperative management, the long-term prognosis for surgically treated horses was fair to good.

Gastric Torsion from an Intestinal Hernia Through a Rent in the Gastrosplenic Ligament in a Horse

“…As observed in the present case, it is suggested that male horses are more likely to have intestinal incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament [8,9]. Cardiovascular deterioration and persistent signs of pain were present, as indicated by an increased heart rate (72 beats/min), congested mucous membranes, and prolonged capillary refill time in accordance with Yovich et al [5].…”

“…The length of the incarcerated jejunum identified during surgery was 1.6 m, which fell within the range from 0.3 to 7.6 m reported in cases of small intestine incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament [8]. In cases of gastrosplenic ligament intestine herniation, it has been proposed that the involved intestine is easily reduced at surgery [2,7].…”

“…In horses with cranial incarcerations (e.g., epiploic foramen entrapment), the distended loops of bowel may not always be palpable in early stages because of the cranial location of the lesion [13]. However, transabdominal ultrasonography may reveal distension of the small intestine not palpable per rectum [8]. Following a physical examination, it is impossible to make a definitive diagnosis of small intestine incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament [13].…”

“…The rents may be congenital or traumatic in origin [7,8]; however, intestinal incarceration has been observed in adult horses only [7], and it is more common in males [8,9]. While bowel strangulation is generally acute, the hernial ring may be chronic, with round and dense connective tissue around the edges [10].…”

The equine gastrosplenic ligament: Anatomy and clinical considerations

“…Incarceration of the small intestine through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament (GSL) represents only a minor proportion of all small intestinal colics. It is reported to account for 4.5% of all small intestinal lesions, with a prevalence of 1.5% of all horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy in one report (Jenei et al . 2007).…”