Nephrosplenic entrapment occurs when a horse's colon moves over the nephrosplenic ligament, which connects the left kidney to the spleen, stopping the movement of the colon's contents and causing abdominal pain (colic).
The University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center has discovered that a simple surgical procedure can reduce a horse's risk of a nephrosplenic entrapment recurring, reports EQUUS magazine.
About nine percent of colic cases seen at equine clinics are caused by nephrosplenic entrapments. It isn't clear why some horses are more prone to this type of colic, but a large abdomen, how a horse's colon might move, and the shape of the nephrosplenic space have all been considered as possible issues that may encourage nephrosplenic entrapment.
Most nephrosplenic entrapments are treated in a few ways: the horse may be given medication to shrink the spleen and then jogged to try to move the colon back into place. The horse may also be anesthetized and then rolled to try to move the colon back. If neither of these options work, surgery may be the only option to get the colon back in place and resolve the colic.
Most horses with this type of colic recover, but up to 21 percent of horses will have the same issue again. Veterinarians have explored multiple ways to prevent this colic from recurring; one way involves stitching the space closed so the colon cannot move.
Another technique involves laparoscopically placing mesh over the top of the spleen to keep the colon from moving into that space. This minimally invasive surgery can be performed in 30 minutes. As there is no tension on the mesh (like in traditional sutures), there is no risk of failure.
The University of Pennsylvania researchers examined the records of 26 horses that had suffered from nephrosplenic entrapment and then had the mesh placed on the spleen. Not one of the horses had an additional issue in the follow-up period, which was between one and seven years.
The scientists concluded that mesh ablation is an effective option to prevent repeated nephrosplenic entrapment colics.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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