J-incision to approach the cranial abdomen in the adult horse.

OBJECTIVE To describe a modified celiotomy to improve access to cranial abdominal structures in horses. ANIMALS Four horses. STUDY DESIGN Short case series. METHODS Three horses with gastric impactions were treated with gastrotomies. One horse was treated for a diaphragmatic hernia with herniorrhaphy and mesh augmentation. In all horses, the ventral midline celiotomy was modified cranially with a J-incision through the body wall, along the paracostal arch. RESULTS The only surgical complications were midline incisional infections in all horses. Three of the four horses had good long-term outcomes; the remaining horse underwent euthanasia for reasons likely unrelated to incisional complications. CONCLUSION The J-incision improved access to the stomach and diaphragm in these horses. The paracostal component healed in all cases without evidence of infection or dehiscence. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This modified celiotomy may be considered to improve access during gastrotomy and repair of dorsally located diaphragmatic hernias.