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34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings


Stream:   |   Session:
Date/Time: 03-07-2025 (18:30 - 18:45)   |   Location:
A full-laparoscopic nephrosplenic space closure with barbed knotless suture in horses with nephrosplenic entrapment at time of surgery without colon repositioning
Willems T, Dedecker L, Mourato Dias AB, Sureda S, De Lange L, De Beauregard T*
Clinique Equine de Meslay, Meslay du Maine, France.

Objectives:

Nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) has reported recurrence rates of 8 - 23%, and closure of the nephrosplenic space (NSS) has shown to lower the incidence. Described techniques for nephrosplenic space closure (NSC) with concurrent entrapment of the left colon at the time of surgery consist of reducing the displaced colon prior to closure. A more recent technique without repositioning of the colon was proposed in 2019. The aim of this study was to determine long-and short-term outcome and difference in surgical time.

Methods:

A retrospective study was performed evaluating the medical records of horse undergoing NSC between 2017-2024. The horses were divided into two groups: NSE or non-NSE at time of surgery (control group). Surgical time, post-operative complications, short- and long-term outcome were compared.

Results:

A total of 18 horses with NSE at time of NSC and 21 without NSE at time of NSC were evaluated. Surgical time were similar for both groups. Long term follow-up was available for 37 horses. Thirty-four (92%) of the horses were alive at the time the survey was conducted.  

No significant association was found between NSE at time of surgery and the presence of signs of colic after the surgery (p= 0.86). A statistically significant decrease in number of colic episodes after surgery was seen in both groups (p < 0.001 and p= 0.009 respectively), and none of the horses represented with NSE again.

Conclusions:

Full-laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space with an entrapped colon, and without prior repositioning of the colon, in subacute or chronic cases is technically feasible and this does not increase the total surgical time.

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