Transection of the pelvic flexure to reduce incarceration of the large colon through the epiploic foramen in a horse.

A 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare underwent exploratory celiotomy for diagnosis and treatment of colic. An irreducible herniation of the large colon through the epiploic foramen was found. To reduce the hernia, the pelvic flexure was transected and the ends of the large colon were closed. The intercolonic mesentery was divided, and unaffected left ventral colon was moved into the epiploic foramen, providing sufficient space so that affected left dorsal colon could be reduced. The affected left ventral colon was then reduced and the diseased portion of both colons was resected. The colons were resected. The colons were rejoined with an end-to-end anastomosis.