Use of a rigid-type polyethylene T-cannula,silicone tubing,and adhesion netting for surgical cannulation of ileum of the horse

A rigid-type of polyethylene T-cannula was fitted into the anterior ileum of six horses in order to improve the cannulation techniques. A piece of polyethylene net was fastened onto the intestinal wall around the cannula to prevent dislodgment of the cannula by promoting a secure adhesion between the ileum and the abdominal wall. The cannula barrel sheathed with silicone tubing was exteriorized through a stab incision at the lateral ventral wall on the transverse line of the second lumber vertebra, and a flange was screwed onto the barrel. The feeding regime gradually increased concentrate without roughage prevented any colic signs. The use of these techniques succeeded in the ileal cannulation with no leakage of digesta.     

Small intestinal segmental volvulus in horses after gastroscopy: Four cases (2011–2012)

Gastroscopy is the most common technique used in veterinary medicine to evaluate the stomach in horses and to date, no complications have been described associated with the procedure. This paper reports 4 cases developing a nonstrangulating segmental volvulus of the small intestine after gastroscopy at 3 referral institutions over a 2 year period. After performing diagnostic gastroscopy, all horses developed acute and severe clinical signs of colic unresponsive to medical management. Time range between gastroscopy and onset of colic signs varied from 10 min to 3 h. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a nonstrangulating segmental volvulus of the small intestine that was manually corrected without need for resection in all horses. In all cases, affected small intestine was severely gas distended. Three of those horses survived to discharge and were alive at follow‐up. One horse was subjected to euthanasia 2 days after surgery due to diffuse intestinal lymphoma.     

Determination of the acid-base status in 50 horses admitted with colic between December 1998 and May 1999

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the acid-base status and the concentration of organic acids in horses with colic caused by various disorders. Blood samples were collected from 50 horses with colic and from 20 controls. No intravenous fluids had been given prior to sample collection. Identified causes of colic included gastric ulceration, small intestinal volvulus, cecal intussusception, cecal rupture, colonic impaction, left dorsal colon displacement, right dorsal colon displacement, colonic volvulus, colitis, peritonitis, and uterine torsion. Thirty-seven horses recovered from treatment of colic, 8 horses were euthanized, and 5 died. Most cases were not in severe metabolic acidosis. In previous studies, most horses presented for diagnosis and treatment of colic were in metabolic acidosis and in shock.     

Life-threatening hemorrhage from enterotomies and anastomoses in 7 horses

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with horses that presumptively had severe intraluminal hemorrhage from enterotomy or anastomosis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Six adult horses and 1 adult donkey. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the University of Illinois (April 1994 to December 2001) to determine the clinical course and outcome of horses with melena and/or anemia and evidence of life-threatening hemorrhage from intestinal incisions. Medical records of all horses that had colic surgery were reviewed to determine the proportion of horses with this complication. In addition, horses that fit the same criteria identified in 3 other veterinary clinics were included. RESULTS: Three horses (1.3%) of those that had enterotomy or anastomosis at the University of Illinois and 4 horses from other clinics had complications presumptively related to severe hemorrhage from these intestinal procedures. Melena became evident within 72 hours of surgery and lasted 12 to 96 hours. Six horses had an acute and severe drop in packed cell volume (PCV), increased heart rates, and other signs of acute hemorrhage, and 1 horse had signs of colic postoperatively. Horses were administered intravenous formalin (3 horses) and whole blood transfusions (4 horses). Repeat celiotomy was performed on 2 horses. In 1 of these horses, a bleeding artery was ligated in the edge of the original enterotomy, and, in the other, a 25-cm-diameter intraluminal blood clot was found occluding the pelvic flexure. A horse that had jejunocolostomy for cecal impaction was not treated for hemorrhagic shock but was euthanatized and necropsied. Necropsy revealed blood-filled bowel from the jejunocolostomy to the anus. One of the remaining 6 horses died of enterocolitis and 5 survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhage from incisional edges, particularly in the large intestine, should be considered a rare but possibly fatal complication of enterotomy or anastomosis in horses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To prevent fatal hemorrhage from incisional edges during enterotomy or anastomosis, large vessels should be ligated at the original surgery, and hemostatic effects of different closure techniques should be considered. No intraoperative or postoperative findings were useful to predict this complication, and response to supportive medical therapy was favorable.     

Jejunoileal anastomosis following small intestinal resection in horses: seven cases (1999-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To report the postoperative outcome in horses undergoing jejunoileal anastomosis performed with a 2-layer simple continuous technique. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 7 horses. PROCEDURE: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, findings at surgery, and postoperative complications was obtained from medical records of horses that underwent exploratory ventral midline celiotomy, small intestinal resection, and jejunoileal anastomosis to correct various small intestinal strangulating lesions. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone conversations with owners or trainers. RESULTS: Six males and 1 female of various breeds aged 10 months to 27 years and weighing 312 to 785 kg (686.4 to 1,727 lb) were included. The most common complications were mild to moderate tachycardia and mild to moderate signs of abdominal pain. Two horses developed incisional infections and soft, fluctuant swelling at the incision site following resolution of the infection. Follow-up time ranged from 7 to 17 months after surgery. Owners reported no further colic episodes and no diet change necessary following surgery. All horses had returned to their intended level of use. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Advantages to the jejunoileal technique include maintaining the normal ileocecal valve and a postoperative recovery period similar to that described following other small intestinal anastomoses. Jejunoileal anastomosis is a viable alternative to ileal bypass. This technique appears to result in a postoperative complication rate similar to that reported following jejunojejunostomy procedures.     

Transrectal decompression as a new approach for treatment of large intestinal tympany in horses with colic: Preliminary results

A common feature of colic in horses is tympany in the large intestine and medical treatment of this condition can be unsuccessful. In this article we describe and evaluate a new approach for decompression of large intestinal tympany in equine colic patients using transrectal puncture. We evaluated horses showing colic symptoms and colonic or caecal tympany and the final diagnosis, complications and final outcome were recorded for each horse. A special transrectal decompression device (TDD) was developed and used to perform transrectal decompression (TD) by gas aspiration. In order to assess pain reduction as a result of TD, heart rate (HR) was recorded before and after the decompression procedure. Twenty‐five horses were included in the study. In 17 cases, tympany was recognised as primary in origin while in 8 it was secondary to other conditions. A total of 33 TDs were performed and no horses developed short‐ or long‐term complications. All horses were alive after the first month post TD, while 5 died from diseases not related to TD. The TD could safely and easily be performed in all horses presenting tympany. Transrectal decompression can easily be performed, 2 or even 3 times to treat a single colic episode by using the transrectal device connected to a surgical aspirator. It was not possible from available information to relate the timing of HR decrease to resolution of colic or to administration of drugs because a retrospective study and all such data were not readily accessible. Our clinical results support the relevance of the TD as an elective treatment of primary large intestinal tympany, emergency treatment of tympany secondary to other surgical entities and as palliative treatment in surgical patients, in which surgery could not be achieved.     

Collection of pancreatic exocrine secretions by formation of a duodenal pouch in cattle.

Collection of exocrine pancreatic secretions from cattle by use of a single-unit cannula was performed. The major advantage of the cannula was simple technical management. A small pouch of the duodenum into which the major pancreatic duct drains was formed. Continuity of the duodenum was reestablished by end-to-end anastomosis. A side arm of the cannula was inserted into the pouch to collect exocrine secretions, and the main portion of the cannula was placed cranial to the anastomosis to return pancreatic secretions to the small intestine between collection periods. The accessory pancreatic duct was ligated in 2 of 4 cattle to evaluate possible secretory contribution from this source. All cattle remained healthy after cannulation, and cattle gained approximately 100 kg of body weight in the 5 months after surgery. The mean secretory rate for exocrine pancreatic secretion in cattle was 106 +/- 6.8 ml/h. There was no effect of feeding on the pattern of secretion nor were there significant differences between cattle. A fistula formed between the pouch and duodenum approximately 120 days after surgery in the first 2 cattle used. Development of fistulas was prevented for 300 days in subsequently prepared cattle by use of surgical mesh around the cannulas, leading to functional cannulation sites. Preparation of a duodenal pouch appeared useful for long-term studies of pancreatic exocrine secretion in cattle.     

Technical Note: Improved technique for fitting pigs with steered ileocecal valve cannulas

Collection of ileal digesta to evaluate AA digestibilities has become increasingly important in swine nutrition research. Steered ileocecal valve cannulation of pigs permits total collection of ileal digesta, while still allowing normal digesta flow during noncollection periods. This technique was modified and used with 64 crossbred barrows in five trials. Our procedural changes included preoperative i.v. administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, sharp incision through the muscle layers of the laparotomy wound, use of a heparinized saline lavage solution, replacement of the guide ring with a stylette, and fixing the outer cannula barrel in place with a hose clamp. The current technique involves a right flank laparotomy, parallel and distal to the last rib, with the pig under general anesthesia. A stainless-steel ring (inner ring = 2.0 mm thick, 35.0 mm i.d.) is introduced into the ileal lumen through an enterotomy proximal to the origin of the ileocecal fold. A nylon string attached to this ring is threaded through the ileum and ileocecal valve into the cecum using a silastic stylette, which encases the string. A second stainless-steel ring (outer ring = 2.0 mm thick, 34 mm o.d.) is fixed in place around the ileum, distal to the inner ring and just proximal to the ileocecal valve. A polyurethane cannula barrel (barrel = 100 mm long, 26 mm i.d., 32 mm o.d.; flange = 70 mm o.d.) is introduced into the cecal lumen via an enterotomy through the lateral cecal band and secured in place with two purse-string sutures. The cannula is exteriorized through an incision caudal and proximal to the intial laparotomy site, where it is plugged using a cylindrical stopper (26 mm o.d., 55 mm long) and held in place by a second cannula barrel (barrel = 43 mm length, 33 mm i.d., 41 mm o.d.; flange = 80 mm o.d.). Procedural changes decreased postsurgical complications, as evidenced by decreased seepage around the cannula and fewer and less severe adhesions noted at necropsy. Based on five trials, this technique is a reliable means of collecting ileal digesta for nutrient analyses.     

Effect of Omentectomy on Adhesion Formation in Horses

Objective —To determine if omentectomy would decrease the frequency of postoperative intraabdominal adhesions. Study Design —Retrospective study. Animals or Sample Population—44 horses that had either two ventral median celiotomies or a ventral median celiotomy and a necropsy more than 4 days later; 19 of these horses had their omentum removed at the initial surgery. Methods —Data retrieved from the records included location and type of intraabdominal adhesions; location of the surgical lesion; relationship of adhesions to the surgical lesion; surgical procedures; duration of initial surgery; time interval between procedures; age, gender, and breed of the horse; and clinical outcome. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the association between categorical explanatory and outcome variables. The effect of potential risk factors on the incidence rate of adhesion formation was estimated using a proportional hazards regression model. Results —Of 25 horses in the nonomentectomy group, 15 (60%) had postoperative adhesions that resulted in the need for a second surgical intervention, whereas of 19 horses that had omentectomy initially, only 4 (21%) had postoperative adhesions that required a second procedure. Rate of adhesion formation was higher in horses that did not have omentectomy initially (incidence ratio rate [IRR], 0.46; 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 1.19). At initial surgery, 24 horses had a small intestinal lesion, and 20 horses had a large intestinal lesion. Fifteen horses (63%) with small intestinal lesions subsequently developed adhesions compared with four horses (20%) with an initial large intestinal lesion (P= .006). At the second procedure, small intestine lesions were identified in 32 horses and large intestine lesions in 12 horses (1 horse had both small and large intestine lesions), and 1 horse had a gastric lesion. Adhesions were identified as the cause of colic signs in 19 (61%) horses with small intestinal lesions and in none of the horses with large intestine lesions. The frequency of adhesion development leading to colic associated with only the small intestine at the second surgery or necropsy was significantly greater (P= .001) than the frequency only in the large intestine. Conclusions —Omentectomy reduced the rate of postoperative adhesion formation. Adhesions are more likely to occur after small intestinal surgery and if they do occur likely involve the small intestine. Clinical Relevance —Omentectomy is a safe procedure and should be considered prophylactically for reduction of adhesion formation after abdominal surgery in horses.     

Evaluation of a method to experimentally induce colic in horses and the effects of acupuncture applied at the Guan-yuan-shu (similar to BL-21) acupoint

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of a method for inducing colic via small intestinal distention in horses and to examine the analgesic potential of bilateral electroacupuncture (EAP) at the Guan-yuan-shu (similar to BL21) acupoint. ANIMALS: 5 healthy adult horses, each with a gastric cannula. PROCEDURE: A polyester balloon connected to an electronic barostat was introduced into the duodenum via the gastric cannula. At 2 specified intervals (before and after commencement of EAP), the balloon was inflated to a barostat-controlled pressure that induced signs of moderate colic. Each inflation was maintained for 10 minutes. Heart and respiratory rates were continuously recorded. Frequency of various clinical signs of colic was recorded by 2 trained observers during various combinations of balloon inflation and EAP. Each horse received each of 5 treatment protocols (EAP at 20 Hz, sham EAP at 20 Hz, EAP at 80: 120 Hz dense:disperse, sham EAP at 80: 120 Hz dense:disperse, no treatment). Sham EAP was at a point located 2 cm lateral to the Guan-yuan-shu acupoint. RESULTS: Duodenal distention consistently induced a significant increase in frequency of signs of colic. None of the EAP protocols caused a significant reduction in frequency of these clinical signs during distention. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The method described is reproducible and highly controllable method for inducing colic that involved duodenal distention that should be useful in evaluating the efficacy of various analgesic strategies. Bilateral EAP at the Guan-yuan-shu acupoint was ineffective in reducing signs of discomfort induced by this method.     

Ileocecal intussusception corrected by resection within the cecum in two horses.

Irreducible ileocecal intussusceptions pose a difficult surgical problem. Strangulating ileocecal intussusceptions involving the ileum and jejunum were identified in 2 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy because of colic. Surgical correction in both horses was achieved by amputation of the ileocecal intussusception from within the cecal lumen, via typhlotomy. The inverted ileal stump was blindly stapled near the ileocecal orifice after pulling the intussusceptum into the cecum. A jejunocecostomy was performed to reestablish intestinal continuity.     

Intramural jejunal leiomyoma as a cause of colic

A 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding showjumper presented with colic after a history of chronic mild, intermittent colic. He was refractory to medical management. At surgery, he was found to have a 15-cm intramural mass in the distal jejunum, approximately 3 m orad to the ileum. Histopathology post-operatively revealed a leiomyoma. Leiomyomas in horses are rare. They have been reported most commonly in the reproductive tract, with other rare reports in the oesophagus and omentum. To the knowledge of the authors, there are no reports of identification and treatment of non-strangulating obstruction of the jejunum caused by a leiomyoma. The horse recovered from his surgery and went on to compete at the same level of showjumping as previous to the surgery with no further episodes of colic. Based on this report, leiomyoma should be a differential for small intestinal obstruction in the future.     

Packed cell volume and heart rate to predict medical and surgical cases and their short-term survival in horses with gastrointestinal-induced colic

The objective of this prospective case-control study of 125 horses with gastrointestinal tract-induced colic was to determine whether heart rate (HR) and packed cell volume (PCV) can predict surgical versus medical treatment and its short-term survival (time of discharge of the patient). Sixty-four horses were treated medically and 61 surgically (29 small intestinal and 32 large intestinal cases). At admission, both PCV and HR were higher in horses treated surgically than in horses treated medically; however, with longer duration of colic before presentation, the PCV was higher in the small intestinal surgical group only. In addition, both PCV and HR were higher, and the duration of colic was longer in non-survivors compared to survivors. Binary logistic regression demonstrated a significant association between HR and type of treatment, and both HR and PCV were predictive of survival. Simple parameters such as HR and PCV provide useful information for management of colic cases.     

Cecal amputation within the right ventral colon for surgical treatment of nonreducible cecocolic intussusception in 8 horses

OBJECTIVES: To report a surgical technique for treatment of nonreducible cecocolic intussusception and outcome in 8 horses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Eight horses with nonreducible cecocolic intussusception treated by cecal amputation through a right ventral colotomy. METHODS: Data were obtained from medical records and telephone conversations by using a standardized questionnaire. The large colon was exteriorized and, if necessary, evacuated of its contents through a pelvic flexure enterotomy. A second colotomy was made on the ventral surface of the right ventral colon (RVC) centered over or immediately distal to the intussusceptum. In most horses, attempts to manually reduce the intussusception by pushing the cecum from within the RVC through the cecocolic orifice were unsuccessful. Invaginated cecum was then pulled into the RVC and amputated; the cecum was either ligated with umbilical tape or sutured proximal to the site of amputation. After amputation, the remainder of the invaginated cecum was reduced. After further resection to healthy tissue, the typhlectomy was closed with a double-inverting suture pattern. RESULTS: The median horse age was 2 years (range, 1 to 8 years). Duration of colic ranged from 6 hours to 6 months. Median surgical time was 180 minutes (range, 135 to 300 minutes). Median duration of antibiotic therapy was 7 days (range, 5 to 14 days). Median duration of hospitalization was 12 days (range, 6 to 21 days). All horses survived to hospital discharge. One horse died 3 months postoperatively; however, the remainder survived (median survival, 30 months; range, 6 to 96 months) and returned to or exceeded previous function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite some contamination during surgery, horses with nonreducible cecocolic intussusception that underwent this method of surgical treatment had a good prognosis.     

Analysis of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Administration and Related Factors Associated with Postoperative Colic and Survival in Horses with Small Intestinal Disease

Objective— To analyze the effect of the intraoperative use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CBMC) and related perioperative factors on postoperative colic and survival in horses that had abdominal surgery for colic.
Study Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Horses (n=203) that had surgery for small intestinal disease; 33 horses had intraoperative administration of CBMC.
Methods— Information was obtained from medical records for 170 horses that had surgery for colic before use of CBMC and 33 horses that had intraoperative CBMC. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to estimate median survival time and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for the effect of CBMC and other perioperative variables on survival.
Results— Seventy-five percent of horses administered CBMC survived to 180 days, whereas 75% of untreated horses survived 8 days (median survival time=18 days). Horses not administered CBMC were twice as likely to die compared with horses administered CBMC. Horses that had postoperative ileus (POI) were 1.4 times more likely to die than horses without ileus. Similarly, horses with signs of colic after surgery were 1.3 times more likely to die than horses without postoperative signs of colic.
Conclusions— CBMC administration is seemingly protective against death and prolongs survival when used intraoperatively in horses with small intestine disease, particularly horses with postoperative colic or POI. Both POI and colic increased risk of death after surgery.
Clinical Relevance— Intraoperative administration of CBMC in horses that have surgery for small intestinal disease may improve survival, possibly by reducing early adhesion formation.     

Serum tumor necrosis factor activity in horses with colic attributable to gastrointestinal tract disease.

Over a 24-month period, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity was determined in 289 horses with colic attributable to gastrointestinal tract disease. Serum TNF activity was quantitated by use of a modified in vitro cytotoxicity bioassay, using WEHI 164 clone-13 murine fibrosarcoma cells. Causes for colic, determined by clinical and laboratory evaluation, exploratory celiotomy, or necropsy included: gastrointestinal tract rupture (GTR); ileal impaction; small intestinal strangulating obstruction (SIO); proximal enteritis (PE); transient small intestinal distention; large-colon displacement; large-colon volvulus; large-colon impaction; colitis; small-colon obstruction; peritonitis; and unknown. Each diagnosis was placed into 1 of 3 lesion categories: inflammatory disorders (GTR, PE, colitis, peritonitis); strangulating intestinal obstruction (SIO, large-colon volvulus); and nonstrangulating intestinal obstruction (ileal impaction, transient small intestinal distension, large-colon displacement, large-colon impaction, small-colon obstruction, unknown). The prevalence of high serum TNF activity and/or mortality were evaluated. Differences were tested at significance level of P less than 0.05. Approximately 20% of the 289 horses has serum TNF activity greater than that found in clinically normal horses (greater than 2.5 U/ml). Twenty-three horses (8%) had marked increase in serum TNF activity (greater than or equal to 10 U/ml) which was more prevalent among horses with SIO and PE than in horses of other diagnostic groups, except those with GTR. Mortality and marked increase in serum TNF activity were greater in horses with intestinal inflammatory disorders or strangulating intestinal obstruction than in horses with nonstrangulating intestinal obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

LAPAROTOMY IN EQUINE COLIC—A REPORT OF THIRTEEN CLINICAL CASES

A report of 13 unselected clinical cases of colic in horses which were submitted to laparotomy is presented, together with one case of experimental end-to-side anastomosis of the ileum into the caecum. Cases are divided into acute or peracute with diverse aetiology, and subacute or chronic where all the lesions involved the small intestine. The technique of anaesthesia and surgical procedures is described and emphasis is placed on the necessity of adequate fluid therapy in such cases.     

Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair in Three Young Horses

Objective- This clinical report describes surgical correction of diaphragmatic hernia in three young horses.
Study Design- Retrospective investigation of medical records and subsequent racing performance.
Animals- Three young horses with diaphragmatic hernia.
Results- Three young horses with signs of abdominal pain had diaphragmatic hernia causing small intestinal strangulation. The strangulated small intestine was resected and an end-to-end jejuno-jejunal (two horses) or a side-to-side jejuno-cecal anastomosis (one horse) was performed. Diaphragmatic hernias were closed with a continuous suture pattern. All horses recovered and raced. No difference in race records was found between the subject horses and their siblings. One subject horse died of colic at 5 years of age, but the cause of the colic was undetermined. The remaining two horses are in use as broodmares and have produced multiple foals without recurrence of signs of diaphragmatic hernia
Conclusions- Diaphragmatic hernias can be repaired in horses. These horses can achieve race records similar to their siblings and can produce foals without recurrence of signs of diaphragmatic hernia.     

Peritoneal d-Dimer Concentration for Assessing Peritoneal Fibrinolytic Activity in Horses with Colic

Background: Plasma d -dimer concentration is a useful marker to assess systemic coagulation and fibrinolytic activities in humans, dogs, and horses. Peritoneal fibrinolytic activity increases in horses with colic, especially in horses with endotoxin in the peritoneal fluid.
Hypothesis/Objectives: Peritoneal d -dimer concentration can be used to assess peritoneal fibrinolytic activity in horses with severe gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and altered peritoneal fluid.
Animals: Two hundred and twenty-one colic horses and 15 control horses.
Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Blood and peritoneal fluid were collected on admission. Horses were grouped according to diagnosis, peritoneal fluid analysis, and outcome. Peritoneal d -dimer concentration was determined, together with peritoneal tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activities. Plasma d -dimer concentration also was measured.
Results: Peritoneal d -dimer concentration was significantly higher in all colic groups compared with controls, and in horses with enteritis, peritonitis, and ischemic disorders compared with horses with large intestinal obstructions. Peritoneal d -dimer concentration was significantly higher in horses with altered peritoneal fluid (modified transudate and exudate) compared with horses with normal peritoneal fluid analysis. Plasma d -dimer concentration also was significantly higher in the peritonitis group, and in horses with altered peritoneal fluid analysis. Peritoneal and plasma d -dimer concentrations also were significantly higher in nonsurvivors. Peritoneal d -dimer concentration was significantly correlated with decreased peritoneal t-PA activity and increased peritoneal PAI-1 activity.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Peritoneal d -dimer concentration is markedly higher in severe GI disorders, and it can be used to assess peritoneal fibrinolytic activity in horses with colic.     

Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for caecal impaction in horses: seven clinical cases (1997-2007)

Objectives To report the clinical outcome in seven horses following use of a newly described surgical technique for treating caecal impaction. Methods The medical records of seven horses with caecal impaction treated surgically using a stapling technique to create a complete caecal bypass without ileal transection were reviewed. Data were obtained from the records and through telephone interviews with case-associated personnel. Results The mean age was 10 years (range 2–22 years) and duration of colic ranged from 24 h to 2 weeks. Five horses had type II motility dysfunction and the remaining two had type I. Mean surgical time was 185 min (range 146–245 min) and the horses were hospitalised for a mean of 12.4 days (range 9–22 days); 71% (5/7) were discharged from hospital and all five were alive 60 days from the surgery date. One horse was lost to follow-up. The four (66.7%) available remaining horses were alive ≥ 1 year (long-term survivors). Conclusions Complete caecal bypass without ileal transection for clinical cases of caecal impaction had comparable outcomes to complete bypass with ileal transection. The technique is easy to perform, has the potential to reduce surgical time, compared with traditional bypass techniques, and may reduce the risk of intraoperative abdominal contamination. It is recommended for use in clinical cases in which caecal bypass is desirable.