Laparoscopic surgical technique for repair of rectal and colonic tears in horses: An experimental study

Objective-To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic surgical techniques for repair of rectal lacerations in horses. Study Design-Experimental study. Animal or Sample Population-Thirty-two segments of equine bowel placed in a n equine pelvitrainer, 8 equine cadavers, and 3 normal horses. Methods-In experiment 1, 3 laparoscopic intestinal-repair techniques were e valuated in an equine pelvitrainer: suturing with needle holders, with an a utomatic suture device, and stapling with a hernia stapler. In experiment 2 , descending colon lacerations were sutured laparoscopically using needle h olders in a pelvitrainer and in equine cadavers. In experiment 3, iatrogeni c rectal lacerations were sutured laparoscopically with needle holders in h orses under general anesthesia. These horses were evaluated for 7 days' pos toperatively by clinical examination and blood and peritoneal fluid analysi s. The horses were euthanatized 7 days' postoperatively and necropsied. The repaired colonic segments were collected for determination of bursting pre ssures, degree of luminal narrowing, and microscopic examination of the sut ure line. Results-For the 3 techniques, there was no significant difference in repair time or degree of luminal narrowing, but bursting pressure was higher in s egments repaired by use of needle holders or with the suture device. Coloni c and rectal lacerations were sutured successfully with laparoscopic needle holders. No major complications were recorded. At necropsy, adequate heali ng was confirmed by a high bursting strength (> 140 mm Hg) and by histologi c examination. Clinical Relevance-A novel laparoscopic method can be used to repair iatrog enic rectal lacerations in horses. Whether this method may be used for clin ical cases of rectal tears must be investigated. (C) Copyright 2001 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.