Short-Term Survival and Postoperative Complications Rates in Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery: A Multicentre Study

Abstract

The occurrence of colic could be influenced by the characteristics of a population, geographical area, and feeding management. The aim of this study was to report the short-term postoperative complications and survival rates and to identify factors that might affect the outcome of horses that underwent colic surgery in three Italian surgical referral centres. Data of horses subjected to colic surgery in three referral centres (2018–2021) were analysed. Comparisons of the outcomes were performed using a Mann–Whitney or a Chi square test. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for parameters that were significant in the previous univariate analysis. The goodness-of-fit of the model was assessed using the Akike information criterion (AIC). Significance was defined as p < 0.05, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated as percentages. A total of 451 horses were included. The survival rate was 68.5% of all of the horses that underwent colic surgery and 80% of the horses surviving anaesthesia. Age, BCS, PCV and TPP before and after surgery, amount of reflux, type of disease, type of lesion, duration of surgery, surgeon’s experience, and amount of intra- and postoperative fluids administered influenced the probability of short-term survival. The multivariate analysis revealed that PCV at arrival, TPP after surgery, and BCS had the highest predictive power. This is the first multicentre study in Italy. The results of this study may help surgeons to inform owners regarding the prognosis of colic surgery.

The Effects of Antimicrobial Protocols and Other Perioperative Factors on Postoperative Complications in Horses Undergoing Celiotomy: A Retrospective Analysis, 2008–2021

“…Postoperative ileus was recorded in 20.9% of cases in this retrospective study, which is similar to recent reviews reporting 18.4 to 33% incidence of ileus following celiotomy [64][65][66][67][68][69]. Variables previously associated with development of ileus have been the presence of nasogastric reflux (>8 L) preoperatively, elevated heart rate, elevated packed cell volume and hyperglycemia at admission examination, increased age, small intestinal lesions, resection and anastomosis performed, and increased duration of anesthesia [65,67,69,70], variables which were not comprehensively assessed in this study.…”

Evaluation of Blood Lactate, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Shock Index, and Their Association with Prognosis in Calves

“…The pain associated with obstructive digestive diseases could also cause an increase in heart rate and lactate values. Both parameters (HR and LAC) are used in horses with colic as indicators for surgical decision-making and prognosis [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Improved quality of life and pain relief in mature horses with osteoarthritis after oral transmucosal cannabidiol oil administration as part of an analgesic regimen

“…A total of 24 horses were included in the study, of which 10 horses affected by osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joints (right and left), 6 horses affected by osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joints (right or left or both) and 8 horses affected by osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joints (right or left). The signalment and clinical conditions are reported in Table 1 ( 30 ). The use of other drugs and supplements was discouraged for at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the study.…”