Equine Surgery & Emergency Specialty Intern University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri
Large colon volvulus (LCV) negatively effects broodmare survival and breeding performance. Colopexies are utilized to prevent recurrent LCV. We hypothesized that the ventral midline colopexy would significantly reduce the risk of LCV and have no effect on foaling. Thoroughbred broodmares presenting for LCV between 2016-2020 were identified and divided into two groups: colopexy and no colopexy. Re-presentation for colic, repeat LCV and days to next live foal were compared between groups. Broodmares that received a second surgery to correct LCV were divided into two groups; repeat colopexy and no repeat colopexy. Re-presentation for colic, repeat LCV and days to next live foal were compared between these groups. The odds of horses re-presenting for colic is 4.9 times greater and 9.0 times greater for an LCV when a colopexy is not performed at the initial surgery. The odds of horses re-presenting for colic is 6.3 times greater and 13.0 times greater for an LCV when a colopexy is not performed at the subsequent surgery. Mean days to next live foal was not statistically different between groups. These results indicate the ventral midline colopexy significantly reduced the risk of repeat LCV and colic episodes without impacting subsequent foaling. Only intensively managed thoroughbreds were included in the study and colic episodes that occurred outside the time period were not included. The ventral midline colopexy reduced the risk of repeat LCV and colic, supporting its use in broodmares.
