Study Start Date: 01/01/2021
Study End Date: 9/30/2021

Outcomes of Surgical Management of Horses Undergoing Ventral Midline Celiotomy for Colic with Abnormalities of the Dorsal Mesenteric Attachments of the Colon and Cecum

Large colon displacement and volvulus represent the most common reason for the need for surgical intervention in treatment of colic in horses. The equine ascending colon is believed to be predisposed to displacement when gas accumulates or obstruction occurs as a consequence of its relative size, mobility and a single dorsal mesenteric attachment. Congenital elongation of the dorsal mesenteric attachments of the colon and cecum has sporadically been reported in the literature associated with large colon volvulus, but a series of cases with follow-up has not been described. The purpose of this study is to utilize a multicenter approach to accumulate a large number of cases with this congenital anomaly to determine a more accurate long-term prognosis for recurrence of colic compared with a matched control population.

Study Design:
Prospective/Retrospective, Cohort study

Sample Size:
As many as possible

Inclusion Criteria:

• Horses greater than 1 year of age presenting for surgical treatment of large colon displacement or volvulus with concurrent elongation of the dorsal mesenteric attachments of the cecum and colon.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Horses less than 1 year of age.
• Horses undergoing colic surgery for conditions other than colonic displacement or volvulus

Study Controls:
1-2 matching controls consisting of temporally-associated surgical colic cases in the same facility with similar large colon lesions (displacement or volvulus) that exhibit normal dorsal mesenteric attachments.

Study Endpoints:
Outcomes between cases and controls will be examined.

Samples:
Case records of surgical cases and controls

Costs/Reimbursements:
None

Full Disclosure Information:
The study is not funded.
The investigator does not have a conflict of interest.
The study will be published if results are negative
The study will be reported on VIN
The authors will acknowledge VIN if the study is published