Prevention of large colon displacements and volvulus.

Results of these studies have demonstrated that colopexy of the left large colon to the abdominal wall is a relatively simple and quick procedure that is permanent 1 year after surgery. The technique does not appear to be associated with long-term weight loss or abdominal pain after surgery. It has been used in pregnant mares, both experimentally and clinically, without apparent complications. In addition, horses used for pleasure-riding and show hunting have returned to performance and have not had complications. Large colon resection is a useful technique, especially for animals with strangulating large intestinal lesions. The surgeon must decide whether a technique to prevent recurrence should be performed at the first surgery or whether it should be performed only in horses with recurrence of these lesions. Until a large number of large colon resections or colopexies are performed on horses either at the initial surgery or after recurrence, it is impossible to predict the true efficacy of these techniques.