Surgical Management of Large Colon Impaction/ Dysfunction by Ventral Midline Celiotomy in Two Lipizzan Horses.

A four-year-old and seven-year-old Lipizzan mares were referred for examination of colic episodes of 2 days and 5 days duration. Physical examinations revealed distended large colon filled with dehydrated faeces. Colon impaction/dystunction was diagnosed in both horses, and no resolution was observed after medical treatment. Surgical exploration of the abdomen confirmed a distended colon filled with hard faeces. Surgeries were performed by means of pelvic flexure and dorsal colon enterotomies and evacuations of contents. The enterotomies were closed using Polidioxanone 2-0 in a simple continuous pattern oversewn by a Lembert's pattern. Linea alba was closed routinely. The horses were discharged 14 days after surgery. Because of acute episodes of abdominal pain with signs of peritonitis occurred in a mare, it was euthanisied. A slight dehiscence of enterotomy site after 21 days postoperative was observed at necropsy. Informations obtained from the owner 3 months after discharge in case of the other mare revealed full recovery of the horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]