Philippe Chagnon Larose1, Ameet Singh1, Michelle A Giuffrida2, Galina Hayes3, James Franklin Moyer3, Janet A Grimes4, Jeffrey Runge5, Chiara Curcillo6, Christopher B Thomson6,7, Philipp D Mayhew2, Ross Bernstein2, Christopher Dominic1, Kelley Thieman Mankin8, Penny Regier9, J Brad Case9, Shiori Arai7, Mathieu Gatineau10, Julius M Liptak11, Charles Bruce11. 1. Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 2. Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA. 3. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. 4. Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. 5. Department of Surgery, Guardian Veterinary Specialists, Brewster, New York, USA. 6. Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 7. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA. 8. Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. 9. Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals, Gainesville, Florida, USA. 10. Surgical Department, DMV Veterinary Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 11. VCA Canada - Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe perioperative characteristics and outcomes of dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusception. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, retrospective study. ANIMALS: One hundred fifty-three client-owned dogs with intestinal intussusception. METHODS: Dogs were included when they had undergone surgical treatment of a confirmed intestinal intussusception. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and clinical data, including surgical complications (graded 1-4). Follow-up was obtained via telephone interview with owners and referring veterinarians. RESULTS: Dogs had a median age of 10 months (range, 2-156), and the most common location for intussusception was ileocolic (66/153 [43%]). Most cases had no identifiable cause (104/155 [67%]). Intestinal resection and anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 129 of 153 (84%) dogs; enteroplication was performed in 28 of 153 (18%) dogs, including 13 with and 15 without IRA. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 of 153 (7%) dogs, all involving intestinal damage during attempted manual reduction. The median duration of follow-up after discharge was 334 days (interquartile range, 15-990; range, 1-3302). Postoperative complications occurred in 53 of 153 (35%) dogs, including 22 of 153 (14%) with severe (grade 3 or 4) events. Diarrhea, regurgitation, and septic peritonitis were the most common postoperative complications; intussusception recurred in four of 153 (3%) dogs, all within 72 hours postoperatively. Fourteen-day postoperative mortality rate was 6%. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception was curative in most dogs, even when an underlying cause was not identified. Surgical complications were common, including a 14% risk of life-threatening short-term complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception offers an excellent prognosis, but the potential life-threatening complications should be considered.
OBJECTIVE: To describe perioperative characteristics and outcomes of dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusception. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, retrospective study. ANIMALS: One hundred fifty-three client-owned dogs with intestinal intussusception. METHODS:Dogs were included when they had undergone surgical treatment of a confirmed intestinal intussusception. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and clinical data, including surgical complications (graded 1-4). Follow-up was obtained via telephone interview with owners and referring veterinarians. RESULTS:Dogs had a median age of 10 months (range, 2-156), and the most common location for intussusception was ileocolic (66/153 [43%]). Most cases had no identifiable cause (104/155 [67%]). Intestinal resection and anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 129 of 153 (84%) dogs; enteroplication was performed in 28 of 153 (18%) dogs, including 13 with and 15 without IRA. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 of 153 (7%) dogs, all involving intestinal damage during attempted manual reduction. The median duration of follow-up after discharge was 334 days (interquartile range, 15-990; range, 1-3302). Postoperative complications occurred in 53 of 153 (35%) dogs, including 22 of 153 (14%) with severe (grade 3 or 4) events. Diarrhea, regurgitation, and septic peritonitis were the most common postoperative complications; intussusception recurred in four of 153 (3%) dogs, all within 72 hours postoperatively. Fourteen-day postoperative mortality rate was 6%. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception was curative in most dogs, even when an underlying cause was not identified. Surgical complications were common, including a 14% risk of life-threatening short-term complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception offers an excellent prognosis, but the potential life-threatening complications should be considered.