A Novel Surgical Methodology for Dual Cannula Placement of the Ileum and Cecum in Equids: Assessment of Postoperative Management and Clinical Outcome

Toree L Williams; Cathleen Mochal-King; Brian J Rude; Benjamin C Weed; Molly C Nicodemus

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2018.02.008

A Novel Surgical Methodology for Dual Cannula Placement of the Ileum and Cecum in Equids: Assessment of Postoperative Management and Clinical Outcome

J Equine Vet Sci. 2018 May:64:41-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.02.008. Epub 2018 Feb 17.

Authors

Toree L Williams¹, Cathleen Mochal-King², Brian J Rude³, Benjamin C Weed⁴, Molly C Nicodemus⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Science, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH.
² Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
³ Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
⁴ LabAnswer Center of Excellence, Orlando, FL.
⁵ Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. Electronic address: mnicodemus@ads.msstate.edu.

PMID: 30973150
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.02.008

Abstract

Cecal and ileal cannulations have previously been used to determine equine digestibility and define gastrointestinal physiology. However, research has been limited to specific portions of the equine digestive tract lacking utilization of dual cannulations. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement surgical and preoperative and postoperative procedures for cannulation of dual sections, ileum and cecum, of the equine digestive tract including development of recommendations for addressing postsurgery complications. A total of 8 ponies went through surgical procedures for the placement of a cannula at the ileum and cecum. All ponies awoke from the surgery and stood, but during postsurgical care, complications arisen including increased temperature, dehydration, lameness, herniation, and peritonitis. The survival rate of dual cannulation of the ileum and cecum was 63% of the animals with euthanization attributed to intestinal herniation. This research provides information for the academic community to better plan and implement dual cannulation of equids.

Keywords: Cecum; Equine cannulation; Ileum; Stoma.