Mesenteric rents in the ascending mesocolon as cause of colic -- a
retrospective case series
Abstract
The ventral and dorsal components of the ascending colon are adjoined by
the ascending mesocolon, and few case reports have described congenital
or acquired malformations of this structure. This case series reports
the occurrence of large mesenteric rents of the ascending mesocolon (
Hernia mesocolica coli ascendentis) in 6 adult horses diagnosed
during exploratory laparotomy. Based on the history of the patients, the
rents were most likely acquired. The rents were mainly located directly
adjacent to the left dorsal colon, and without affecting the intestinal
blood supply. The size of the defect varied between 20 and 80 cm, and in
5/6 cases it was a subacute or chronic rupture with rounded edges. Two
different types of intestinal displacements in relation to the rent were
found, with either a localized torsion of the dorsal colon or herniation
of the pelvic flexure through the rent. In all cases, the intestine
could be repositioned, and the rent was sutured. Despite some minor
postoperative complications, the short- and long-term outcome was
excellent. It was hypothesised that recurrent colon displacements or
trauma elicited by an intrauterine foal may have been the cause of the
rent in some of the cases.