Abdominal bandage after colic surgery – sense or nonsense?

Abstract

SummaryA prospective controlled, randomised clinical trial was initiated to evaluate the effect of abdominal wall bandaging with an elastic and strong adhesive material on the incidence on post-operative complications following colic surgery through a midline celiotomy. 188 Horses were included, that ad random were assigned into 2 groups based on the application of an abdominal bandage. The horses included survived at least 1 month after surgery and had adequate medical records. The post-operative incisional complications short term and long term were recorded. It was hypothesized that the application of an abdominal bandage following colic surgery through a midline celiotomy incision would significantly reduce the incidence of post-operative incisional complications. The application of a bandage had a significant positive effect in preventing postoperative edema (P<0.05): the horses with a bandage developed edema in 23.4% (n=23) and the horses without a bandage in 51.1% (n=45) of the cases. Wound discharge (transudate and purulent) occurred in 22% (n=38) of the horses. A slight effect of the bandage, although not significant, was found on wound discharge; in the group of horses with a bandage more transudative wounds were noticed: 11.2% (n=11) versus 6% (n=5). No difference was found in the number of horses with purulent discharge: 12 (n=12) versus 11% (n=10) and total wound dehiscence did not occur. Of the 188 patients 13.9% (n= 25) of the horses developed a hernia and no difference in the frequency of occurrence of hernias as well the size of the hernia between the 2 groups was found. In conclusion: the use of bandages does not reduce the incidence of wound dehiscence and no effect was obtained in preventing incisional hernias. The application of a bandage postoperative has no advantages on wound healing other than preventing edema.Schlüsselwörter: Horse / equine / colic / surgery / abdominal bandage / laparotomy / celiotomy / incisional complications Ist ein Bauchverband nach der Kolikoperation sinnvoll?Ein prospektiver, randomisierter klinischer Versuch wurde initiiert, um den Einfluss einer Bauchbandage aus elastischem stark klebendem Material auf die Inzidenz von postoperativen Komplikationen nach einer aufgrund von Kolik über die Mediane durchgeführten Laparotomie. Die Studie umfasste 188 Pferde, welche in Abhängigkeit von dem Anlegen einer Bauchbandage per Zufall in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt wurden. Die Pferde der Studienpopulation überlebten den chirurgischen Eingriff über einen Monat und ihre medizinischen Akten waren vollständig. Erfasst wurden sowohl die die Inzision betreffenden Kurzzeit-als auch Langzeit -Komplikationen. Es wurde angenommen, dass durch das Anlegen einer Bauchbandage die postoperativen Komplikationen im Bereich der Inzision nach einer Laparotomie über die Mediane aufgrund einer Kolik signifikant reduziert werden können. Das Anlegen der Bauchbandage hatte einen signifikant positiven Einfluss auf die Verhinderung eines postoperativen Ödems(P<0,5): Pferde mit einer Bauchbandage entwicke...