Splenectomy in a foal to control intra‐abdominal haemorrhage caused by splenic rupture

Summary This reports discusses a perforating metallic wire that was suspected of causing chronic weight loss, inappetance and pyrexia in a 15‐year‐old Standardbred gelding, due to the fact that during the previous 18 months, 6 horses coming from the same yard were referred for recurrent or acute colic related to the ingestion of metallic wires. Splenomegaly was detected ultrasonographically and confirmed during surgery. During necropsy, 2 metallic wires 0.2 mm in diameter and 3–4 cm long were found in a markedly enlarged spleen with several nonencapsulated abscesses. Metallic wire perforation and migration through the lower alimentary tract may involve different abdominal quadrants (intestine, abdominal wall, spleen, liver) and lead to different clinical syndromes as acute or recurrent colic and weight loss. A clinical diagnosis is challenging as the clinical signs are often nonspecific and prognosis is generally considered poor.

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“…2000; Garcia‐Seeber et al . 2008; Muurlink et al . 2008) and abscessation (Swan 1968; Rumbaugh et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Splenic abscesses due to migrant metallic wires from small intestine in a horse

Rosso

Bullone

Gillono

et al. 2011

Equine Veterinary Education

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“…Adhesions in the dorsal aspect of the abdominal cavity have rarely been reported after different splenectomy techniques . For example, in one case, adhesions developed after splenectomy through a paracostal incision .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The clinical signs are usually non‐specific and recognition and diagnosis of these conditions can be challenging. There is a lack of consensus regarding the treatment of these conditions, but splenectomy has been described for the treatment of splenomegaly, neoplasia, trauma, autoimmune diseases, infarction or rupture . Splenectomy has also been performed for experimental purposes in the field of cardiovascular physiology and in blood protozoa research …”

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confidence: 99%

“…There is a lack of consensus regarding the treatment of these conditions, but splenectomy has been described for the treatment of splenomegaly, neoplasia, trauma, autoimmune diseases, infarction or rupture. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Splenectomy has also been performed for experimental purposes in the field of cardiovascular physiology 1 and in blood protozoa research. 7 A left-flank approach has been described for open-surgery splenectomy, with variations in incision site (from the left paralumbar fossa to the 16th rib) and with or without resection of one or more ribs.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Development of a technique for standing hand‐assisted laparoscopic splenectomy in five horses

et al. 2015

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“…The poor response to conservative treatment including sinus tachycardia indicated ongoing haemorrhage and hypovolaemia leading to the decision for surgical exploratory celiotomy. Ventricular tachycardia and increased troponin I were reported in a foal with haemoperitoneum and haemorrhagic shock (Muurlink et al 2008). How-ever our case was not continuously monitored with ECG, possibly overlooking arrhythmias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traumatic haemoperitoneum in a pony

Heus¹,

Thaller²,

Hoven³

et al. 2015

PHK

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Summary: Horses suffering from haemoperitoneum typically present with colic symptoms and depression. Furthermore, anorexia and haemorrhagic shock indicated by pale mucous membranes, tachycardia and tachypnoea are frequently encountered. This report describes a case of traumatic haemoperitoneum in a 24-year-old pony mare. The pony suffered from kick injuries by its pasture mate. Upon arrival at the hospital the pony was depressed and tachycardic, tachypnoeic with pale, sticky mucous membranes. Rectal and neurologic examinations were unremarkable. Laboratory work-up revealed a stress leukogram. Packed Cell Volume and Total Protein were within reference ranges. Ultrasonography of the thorax showed no abnormalities, but abdominal ultrasound suggested haemoperitoneum, which was confirmed through the yield of reddish fluid with a high packed cell volume (45 %) on abdominocentesis. Conservative treatment with crystalloid fluid and plasma fluid therapy was ineffective (no clinical improvement). Ongoing clinical signs indicating hypovolaemia strongly suggested active haemorrhage and a decision for exploratory surgery was made. Intraoperatively the source of bleeding could be identified as a ruptured liver vessel, but could not be visualised. The extent of damage to the liver was further assessed with intraoperative intra-abdominal ultrasound. By using ultrasound imaging we could evaluate the therapeutic options under consideration. Based on a guarded prognosis the owner elected euthanasia. Necropsy confirmed the intraoperative findings, but also revealed involvement of multiple other tissues including the diaphragm and pancreas. Intra-abdominal ultrasonography could aid intraoperative identification of the source of bleeding and the extent of injury in patients with haemoperitoneum in which anatomic restrictions and active bleeding impede direct visualisation.Keywords: haemoperitoneum / haemoabdomen / liver / ultrasonography / laparotomy / traumatology Citation: de Heus P., Thaller D., van den Hoven R

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Splenectomy in a foal to control intra‐abdominal haemorrhage caused by splenic rupture

Cited by 12 publications

References 20 publications

Splenic abscesses due to migrant metallic wires from small intestine in a horse

Splenic abscesses due to migrant metallic wires from small intestine in a horse

Development of a technique for standing hand‐assisted laparoscopic splenectomy in five horses

Traumatic haemoperitoneum in a pony

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