Cecal Cannulation in Horse; an Experimental Study

Background: In order to analyze the cecum-colon ecosystem and the treatment of the cecal impaction and hindgut acidosis, cecal cannulation is needed. It is essential to select a simple, fast and inexpensive cecal cannulation method. Because of different complications in general anesthesia, the standing surgery is known as a better option for the horse emergency surgery. Objective: The objective of the present study was to design a simple, fast and inexpensive cecal cannulation method in standing horses.For the standing surgery, a new approach was designed and experimented on four horses. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, at first a cannula with approximately 7cm, 2cm and 2.6cm in length, internal and external diameters, respectively was designed. Immediately before the standing surgery, the horses were sedated with xylazine (1mg/kg) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg). After incising the subcutaneous tissue, the external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles were opened by grid incision. The peritoneum was bluntly perforated and the abdomen was exposed. The muscles were separated only enough to permit one hand to enter the abdomen. The cecum was readily identified by palpation of the cecal base and the dorsoventrally oriented tenia. At this stage, a purse string was secured on the serosal surface of the cecum by nylon and a stab incision was made. Then the cannula was inserted into the cecum and the suture was tightened. Results: The surgery was successfully performed for all horses, however, some complications such as increasing body temperature, transient signs of colic, ileus, pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema and necrosis of the borders of the skin in the sutural places were detected. All complications were alleviated by proper nursing management. Conclusion: The surgical method was successfully terminated. Therefore, the method is recommended as a simple and inexpensive emergency surgical method for cecum in order to conduct different investigation, diagnosis and treatment techniques.