Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and long-term outcome of three Percheron foals with omphalophlebitis that developed abdominal hernias following one-stage umbilical marsupialization treatment.

Study Design: Short case series

Animals : Three Percheron foals

Methods : Omphalophlebitis is a common disease process resulting in a variety of morbidities and sometimes mortality. Complete resection of affected umbilical remnants is highly successful, but when total resection cannot be accomplished umbilical vein marsupialization can be implemented with minimally reported complications. Umbilical vein marsupialization was performed on three foals with extensive omphalophlebitis using the one-stage paramedian translocation technique in conjunction with long term antimicrobial therapy.

Results: Long term follow-up revealed herniation at the marsupialization site in all three foals. Two foals were treated with herniorrhaphy at the prior marsupialization site. One foal died due to septic peritonitis three months after marsupialization.

Conclusion: This case series highlights hernia formation as a potential complication following one-stage umbilical vein marsupialization in foals diagnosed with omphalophlebitis and should be considered as a possible post-operative complication.