Retrospective analysis of postoperative complications following surgical treatment of ileal impaction in horses managed with manual decompression compared to jejunal enterotomy

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the occurrence of post-operative complications and survival to discharge in horses with ileal impactions resolved by manual decompression compared with jejunal enterotomy. AnimalsA total of 121 client-owned horses undergoing surgical correction of an ileal impaction at three teaching hospitals. Materials and methodsData from the medical records of horses undergoing surgical correction of an ileal impaction was retrospectively collected. Post-operative complications, survival to discharge, or post-operative reflux present were evaluated as dependent variables and pre-operative PCV, surgery duration, pre-operative reflux, and type of surgery were evaluated as independent variables. Type of surgery was divided into manual decompression (n = 88) and jejunal enterotomy (n = 33). ResultsThere were no significant differences in development of minor complications, development of major complications, presence of post-operative reflux, amount of post-operative reflux, and survival to discharge between horses that were treated with manual decompression and those treated with distal jejunal enterotomy. Pre-operative PCV and surgery duration were significant predictors of survival to discharge.