INCARCERATED INGUINAL-HERNIA IN THE HORSE

A review is given of the anatomy, etiology, clinical signs and surgica l technique of incarcerated inguinal herniation and the results of sur gical intervention of irreponible hernias in colts and adult stallions are reported. 51 adult stallions with acquired inguinal herniation we re treated surgically. In 25 cases the herniated loop was ileal, in th e other 26 it was jejunal. In cases of strangulation, the vaginal ring was enlarged by incision. In all cases unilateral castration was perf ormed. Laparotomy was carried out in 33 cases; 22 stallions required i ntestinal resection and in four cases a bypass was made. Follow-up ind icated that surgery had been successful in 39 cases (76 %) of the 51 c ases treated. 14 new-born foals were treated surgically because of rup tured inguinal hernia. In all cases, the herniated loops were jejunal, the loops were situated subcutaneously and protruded through a rent i n the tunica vaginalis at the level of the vaginal ring. Seven foals ( 50 %) survived.