− | Small intestinal distension and manipulation of the ileum at surgery may lead to post-operative ileus<ref>Blikslager, A.T, Bowman, K.F, Levine, J.F, ''et al.'' (1994) Evaluation of factors associated with postoperative ileus in horses: 31 cases (1990-1992). ''J Am Vet Med Assoc'', 205:1748-1752.</ref> but the risk is reduced if the duration between disease onset and surgical intervention is decreased.<ref name="Hanson">Hanson, R.R, Wright, J.C, Schumacher, J, Baird, A.N, Humburg, J, Pugh, D.G (1998) Surgical reduction of ileal impactions in the horse: 28 cases. ''Vet Surg'', 27(6):555-60.</ref> Depending on the degree of damage to the serosal surface of the small intestine at surgery, complications may develop several weeks after surgery due to intra-abdominal adhesions.<ref name="Merck">Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''', ''Merial''.</ref> Most of the problems related to adhesions are thought to occur within 2 months.<ref>Baxter, G.M, Broome, T.E, Moore, J.N (1989) Abdominal adhesions after small intestinal surgery in the horse. ''Vet Surg'', 18(6):409-14.</ref> | + | Small intestinal distension and manipulation of the ileum at surgery may lead to post-operative ileus<ref>Blikslager, A.T, Bowman, K.F, Levine, J.F, ''et al.'' (1994) Evaluation of factors associated with postoperative ileus in horses: 31 cases (1990-1992). ''J Am Vet Med Assoc'', 205:1748-1752.</ref> but the risk is reduced if the duration between disease onset and surgical intervention is decreased.<ref name="Hanson">Hanson, R.R, Wright, J.C, Schumacher, J, Baird, A.N, Humburg, J, Pugh, D.G (1998) Surgical reduction of ileal impactions in the horse: 28 cases. ''Vet Surg'', 27(6):555-60.</ref> Depending on the degree of damage to the serosal surface of the small intestine at surgery, complications may develop several weeks after surgery due to intra-abdominal adhesions.<ref name="Merck">Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''', ''Merial''.</ref> Most of the problems related to adhesions are thought to occur within 2 months.<ref name="Baxter">Baxter, G.M, Broome, T.E, Moore, J.N (1989) Abdominal adhesions after small intestinal surgery in the horse. ''Vet Surg'', 18(6):409-14.</ref> |