Incomplete Ileocecal Bypass for Ileal Pathology in Horses: 21 Cases (2012-2019).

A total of 21 horses met the criteria; 13 horses had ileal impaction (one with muscular hypertrophy), 5 horses had epiploic foramen entrapment, and 3 horses had a pedunculated lipoma. An incomplete ileocecal bypass was performed with a two-layer hand-sewn side-to-side technique in 19 cases and with a stapled side-to-side technique in 2 cases. Short term survival was 95.2%. At 12-months follow up, all horses but two were alive, and 13 of the 14 sport horses returned to their previous level of activity. Long term survival was 90.47%. Conclusions Incomplete ileocecal bypass may represent a valid surgical technique in case of ileocecal valve disfunction when ileum resection is not necessary; this technique may represent an alternative to extensive manipulation without subsequent recurrence of ileal impaction.