Miller et al: Linear and discrete foreign body small intestinal obstruction outcomes, complication risk factors, and single incision red rubber catheter technique success in cats
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

• Cats with linear (LFBO) and discrete (DFBO) small intestinal obstructions had similar survival (98.2% vs. 97%, p = 1.0).
• Postoperative complications were not significantly different between LFBO and DFBO cases (p = .1386).
• Intestinal dehiscence was rare (only 2 cats), both in DFBOs, with no statistical difference between groups.
• Red rubber catheter technique (RRCT) successfully removed LFBOs in 83% (20/24) of attempts.
• All failed RRCTs occurred in cats with perforations or tissue nonviability.
• Cats with failed RRCTs had longer clinical signs pre-surgery (median 6.5 vs. 2.0 days).
• Surgical time was longer in LFBO cats (median 77 min vs. 58 min, p = .0018).
• Preoperative septic peritonitis was rare (4/169 cats), but occurred only in linear or mixed FBO cases.