The duodenum: An uncommon site of surgical lesions

Abstract

Summary: It is fortunate for the horse that duodenal lesions requiring surgical correction occur infrequently. Despite being an uncommon site of obstruction, palpation of the duodenum should be part of a complete surgical abdominal exploration. Horses with proximal obstruction typically have large volumes of reflux following passage of a nasogastric tube. Biochemistry abnormalities may include hypochloraemia and hyperglycaemia particularly with a complete or strangulating obstruction. Early surgical treatment of a duodenal volvulus may result in a favourable outcome.