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Topic:Post-Operative Period
The post-operative period in horses refers to the timeframe following surgical procedures during which the animal undergoes recovery and rehabilitation. This period involves careful monitoring and management to ensure proper healing and to minimize complications. Key aspects of the post-operative period include pain management, wound care, and the prevention of infections. Horses may require restricted movement, dietary adjustments, and regular veterinary evaluations to assess recovery progress. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the management strategies, physiological responses, and outcomes associated with the post-operative period in equine patients.
Implantation of a dual-chamber, rate-adaptive pacemaker in a horse with suspected sick sinus syndrome. A five-year-old gelding suffered syncope at the end of a period of exercise. A 24-hour electrocardiogram recording revealed intermittent pauses in the sinus rhythm of up to 10 seconds, indicating sinus node disease; the pauses occurred repeatedly, particularly after exercise. A dual-chamber, rate-adaptive pacemaker was successfully implanted, which prevented excessive postexercise bradycardia and syncope, and allowed the horse to return to work.
Postoperative infection with Actinobacillus spp in horses: 10 cases (1995-2000). To determine features of postoperative wound infection caused by Actinobacillus spp in horses undergoing clean, elective surgery and to evaluate bacterial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records and the microbiology laboratory database. Results: 1,604 horses underwent clean, elective surgical procedures during the study period. Of these, 23 (1.43%) had postoperative wound infections, and Actinobacillus spp was isolated from 10 of these 23 (43%). Surgical procedures in these 10 horses inclu...
Use of a condylar screw plate for repair of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the femur in a 2-year-old horse. A 2-year-old sexually intact male Paint horse weighing 427 kg (940 lb) was admitted for examination and treatment of intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb of 1 week's duration. Radiography revealed a displaced Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the right femoral condyle with the sagittal component of the fracture line located in the intercondylar space and the transverse component exiting on the medial aspect of the femur. The fracture was repaired with a condylar screw plate designed for repair of femoral condylar fractures in humans. The owner reported by telephone ...
Postprandial glucose and insulin responses to a postexercise grain meal. Many studies have examined the effect of pre-exercise feeding on glucose and insulin responses of horses. The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise performed one hour prior to a meal would attenuate the glucose and insulin responses to a meal. Data collected from 8 mature geldings in a 2 period crossover design experiment were used to determine the postprandial glucose and insulin responses to a meal of oats offered 1 h postexercise. During each period, 4 horses received a test meal following a 14 h fast (NoEx) or a 14 h fast and exercise bout (PostEx) that consisted of 48 ...
[Endoscopic lithotripsy of a urinary bladder calculus with the aid of a holmium-YAG-laser in a gelding]. A 6 year old Haflinger gelding was presented to the reporting clinics with a history of chronic dysuria. A large cystic calculus (12 x 9 x 9 cm) was diagnosed cystoscopically. Lithotripsy was carried out endoscopically in the standing, sedated patient with a Holmium:YAG surgical laser (2100 nm, 0.5-3.5 J/pulse, 3-60 pulses/sec.). The endoscope was inserted into the bladder via perineal urethrostomy. Fragmentation of the urolith was carried out with a laser fiber (core diameter 600 microns) in contact mode. Healing proceeded uneventfully. On follow up examination 8 weeks post surgery, no signs ...
Use of a high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose in a tissue protective solution for prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions in ponies. To evaluate efficacy and safety of IP administration of high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose (HMW CMC) for the prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in ponies. Methods: 10 ponies. Methods: A 1% solution of HMW CMC was instilled intra-abdominally prior to surgery in 5 ponies, whereas 5 control ponies did not receive HMW CMC. Postoperative adhesions were induced by use of a bowel-abrasion method comprising laparotomy, typhlotomy, and abrasion of jejunal serosa at multiple sites with placement of 3 sutures at each site. Day of surgery was day 0. After surgery, ponies were ...
Use of a pool-raft system for recovery of horses from general anesthesia: 393 horses (1984-2000). To describe the pool-raft recovery system protocol and to evaluate the clinical outcome in horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia using this system. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 393 horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia in the pool-raft system. Methods: Anesthetic records were examined from horses recovered from anesthesia in the pool-raft system between January 1984 and December 2000. Complete medical records of horses were examined when available. Information regarding the anesthetic and recovery period was recorded. Horses first recovered from gene...
Equine surgical colic: risk factors for postoperative complications. The reason for undertaking this study was that postoperative complications of colic surgery lead to patient discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation and increased cost. Potential risk factors for the 6 most common postoperative complications (jugular thrombosis, ileus, re-laparotomy, wound suppuration, incisional herniation and colic) were evaluated using multivariable models. Jugular thrombosis was associated significantly with heart rate greater than 60 beats/min and with increased packed cell volume (PCV) at admission. The risk of postoperative ileus also increased with increasing PCV at admis...
Long-term survival of equine surgical colic cases. Part 2: modelling postoperative survival. Colic surgery is a frequently performed operation with high postoperative mortality. This study was undertaken to identify variables associated with decreased postoperative survival. We used data from 321 horse years of postoperative survival time to model the probability of survival following recovery from colic surgery. Continuous variables were modelled using a 6 variable, penalised Cox regression model. This demonstrated approximately linear relationships between survival and the following variables: increase in packed cell volume (PCV), intestinal resection length, time to surgery (interv...
Surgical and postoperative factors influencing short-term survival of horses following small intestinal resection: 92 cases (1994-2001). Although short-term survival rates following small intestinal resection reportedly range from 48-88%, there is little information on predicting which horse may or may not survive small intestinal (SI) resection and anastomosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to nonsurvival in horses following small intestinal resection. Medical records of horses which recovered from anaesthesia following SI resection were reviewed. Clinical and surgical variables were evaluated for their association with short-term survival using logistic regression and were reported as odds rati...
Long-term survival of equine surgical colic cases. Part 1: patterns of mortality and morbidity. Postoperative complications and mortality can occur many weeks or months after colic surgery. We are interested in the long-term outcome of these cases. This study documents patterns of mortality and morbidity among 341 horses that recovered from colic surgery March 1998-August 2000. The progress of each horse was rigorously followed by periodic telephone and postal questionnaires. Event time data were recorded for each animal and a total of 321 horse years of survival, together with death from all causes, colic-related death and various postoperative complications. Postoperative survival (of ...
Safety and efficacy of a technique for thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection in horses. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection in horses. Methods: 10 horses (5 control horses and 5 horses affected with recurrent airway obstruction [ie, heaves]). Methods: Each horse underwent a thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection. Before, during, and after surgery, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, and systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures were measured. Physical examination, CBC, and thoracic radiography and ultrasonography were performed 24 hours before and 2 and 48 hours after surgery. Pulmonary specimens we...
Medial patellar ligament splitting for the treatment of upward fixation of the patella in 7 equids. To describe a surgical technique for splitting the proximal third of the medial patellar ligament (MPL) in horses and ponies with upward fixation of the patella (UFP), and to report outcome. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Four horses and 3 Shetland ponies. Methods: With ultrasound guidance, the proximal third of the MPL was split by percutaneous use of a no. 15 scalpel blade. The rationale for this surgical procedure was to induce a localized desmitis with subsequent ligament thickening. No anti-inflammatory drugs were administered, and horses and ponies were exercised the day a...
Use of a hydro-pool system to recover horses after general anesthesia: 60 cases. To report complications observed using a hydro-pool recovery system after general anesthesia in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Sixty horses. Methods: Retrospective review of the medical records and quality of recovery from anesthesia of 60 horses that had surgical or diagnostic procedures under general anesthesia. Results: Mean total anesthesia time was 182 minutes (range, 25 to 390 minutes). Mean time in the hydro-pool was 108 minutes (range, 20 to 270 minutes). One horse that had bilateral rear limb extensor weakness while recovering in a padded recovery stall was moved to th...
Jejunoileal anastomosis following small intestinal resection in horses: seven cases (1999-2001). To report the postoperative outcome in horses undergoing jejunoileal anastomosis performed with a 2-layer simple continuous technique. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 7 horses. Methods: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, findings at surgery, and postoperative complications was obtained from medical records of horses that underwent exploratory ventral midline celiotomy, small intestinal resection, and jejunoileal anastomosis to correct various small intestinal strangulating lesions. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone conversations with owners or trainers. Res...
[Direct endoscopic approach improves prognosis of septic-synovitis in the horse]. The medical records of 71 horses with sepic arthritis, bursitis, or tenosynovitis, treated between 1996 and 2001 at Dierenkliniek Enmeloord, were reviewed. A total number of 81 joints, tendon sheaths and bursae were treated (21 tarsi, 17 digital tendon sheaths, 14 metacarpo/metatarso-phalangeal joints, 12 stifles, 6 carpi, 4 coffin joints, 2 navicular bursae, 1 elbow joint, 1 proximal-interphalangeal joint, 1 tarsal sheath, 1 bursa calcanei subtendineum). The aetiology in 42 cases was a penetrating wound (group 1), in 4 cases an intra-articular injection, and in 2 cases arthroscopic surgery (g...
Clinical assessment and outcome of three techniques for jejunal resection and anastomosis in horses: 59 cases (1989-2000). To compare postoperative complications, short- and long-term survival, and surgical times for hand-sewn end-to-end (EE), stapled functional end-to-end (FEE), and stapled side-to-side (SS) anastomotic techniques for jejunal resection in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 59 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to obtain signalment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for horses that underwent jejunojejunostomy in our hospital. Only horses that recovered from anesthesia were included in the study. Results: Among the 59 horses, there were 33 EE, 15 FEE, and 11 SS anastomoses. ...
Repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethrotomy and urethral sphincterotomy in four postpartum mares. To report the clinical findings, surgical technique, and outcome after repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethral incision in postpartum mares. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Four Thoroughbred broodmares. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for clinical signs, surgical technique, medical therapy, and outcome. The bladder was everted into the vagina through a urethral incision that included a sphincterotomy. The bladder defect was repaired with absorbable suture material in a single-layer, full thickness, simple, continuous pattern. The urethral incision was closed similarl...
Synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after arthroscopic mechanical or carbon dioxide laser synovectomy. To compare synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after mechanical or CO(2) laser synovectomy. Methods: Arthroscopic partial synovectomy was performed in the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints. Methods: Twelve horses, 3 to 6 years of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups. Methods: The antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joints in each horse were randomly assigned a treatment such that each horse had one joint treated as a control (arthroscopic lavage), one in which a mechanical or CO(2) laser partial dorsal carpal synovectomy was performed, and one in which a combination of the mechanical...
Plasma trypsin level in horses suffering from acute intestinal obstruction. Gastrointestinal disorders in horses leading to endotoxic shock could have further consequences on other splanchnic organs such as the pancreas, as can be seen in humans suffering from septic shock. In this study, the range of enzymatically active trypsin (EAT) in healthy horses was established and is similar to the range observed in healthy humans. EAT values were determined in horses with acute abdominal crises on admission as well as during anaesthesia and in the postoperative phase. A significant increase in plasma EAT was found in 59% of the horses with surgical colic when compared to our...
Management of equine orthopedic pain. Pain management is an extremely vital part of equine orthopedic surgery. Providing optimum analgesia for the patient will decrease recovery time, decrease physiologic stress on the animal, and provide maximum comfort during the post-operative period. The major analgesic drug categories and routes covered are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local anesthetics, intra-articular drugs, and epidurals.
Surgical cleft soft palate repair in a foal. An Anglo-Arab foal with bilateral postprandial nasal discharge was diagnosed as having a full-length defect of the soft palate. Surgical repair was attempted using a combination of two surgical approaches. Initially a mandibular symphysiotomy approach was used. The posterior portion of the defect did not heal adequately, so a ventral laryngotomy, bisecting the body of the thyroid cartilage and extending to a pharyngotomy approach, was performed 5 months later. The foal has since matured fully despite a slight unilateral nasal discharge. This case report demonstrates that these two surgical app...
Treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia in horses by prosthetic laryngoplasty, ventriculectomy and vocal cordectomy. The medical records of 80 horses treated for left laryngeal hemiplegia by prosthetic laryngoplasty, ventriculectomy and vocal cordectomy were examined, first to compare the subjective and objective success rates for groups of horses of different ages and used for different purposes, and secondly, to compare the efficacy of including vocal cordectomy in the surgical protocol with published success rates for laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy alone. Subjectively, 70 per cent of the horses were said to have had a successful surgical outcome. The success rate for thoroughbred racehorses (66 per cen...
Evaluation of a vessel-sealing device for use in laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. To evaluate a vessel-sealing instrument (LigaSure) as a method for hemostasis of the ovarian vasculature. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Thirteen mares (8 experimental, 5 patients), aged 2 to 20 years and weighing 405 to 500 kg. Methods: Thirteen mares had standing bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy using a vessel-sealing device (LigaSure) to provide hemostasis. Eight reproductively normal experimental mares were divided into 2 groups: 1 group was re-examined laparoscopically 72 hours and the other group 10 days after the initial standing laparoscopic ovariectomy. The vessel-sealing devi...
Epidural morphine and detomidine decreases postoperative hindlimb lameness in horses after bilateral stifle arthroscopy. To determine whether preoperative epidural administration of morphine and detomidine would decrease postoperative lameness after bilateral stifle arthroscopy in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical controlled study. Methods: Eight adult horses that had bilateral arthroscopic procedures, including drilling of cartilage and subchondral bone within the femoropatellar joints. Methods: Horses were randomly separated into 2 groups. Preoperatively, 4 horses were administered a combination of epidural morphine (0.2 mg/kg) and detomidine (30 microg/kg), and 4 horses were administered an equivalent vol...
Endoscopic-assisted disruption of urinary calculi using a holmium:YAG laser in standing horses. To describe a technique for endoscope-assisted disruption and removal of urinary calculi using a holmium:YAG laser in sedated, standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Six horses with urinary calculi. Methods: A holmium:YAG laser was used to disrupt naturally occurring urinary calculi in horses (4 geldings, 1 stallion, 1 mare). Ischial urethrotomy was performed in male horses to provide a portal for the endoscope and laser fiber. Calculus fragments were removed by a combination of lavage, transendoscopic basket snare removal, forceps, and digital manipulation. Ischial urethrotom...
Arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal chip fractures of the proximal phalanx in standing horses. To report a technique for, and outcome after, arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal chip fractures of a proximal phalanx in standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 104 horses, 1 to 13 years of age, with a dorsoproximal chip fracture of a proximal phalanx. Methods: Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated with intravenous xylazine, detomidine, or a combination of both drugs. Local analgesia was achieved with 2% mepivacaine administered intra-articularly and by subcutaneous infiltration in a crescent-shaped block dorsal to the fetlock. Sterile drapes were ...
Use of a carbon dioxide laser for surgical management of cutaneous masses in horses: 32 cases (1993-2000). To determine outcome of horses in which cutaneous masses were removed with a carbon dioxide laser. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 32 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses with 1 or more cutaneous masses treated with a carbon dioxide laser were examined. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Results: Cutaneous masses were classified as sarcoids (15 horses), neoplastic masses other than sarcoids (squamous cell carcinoma [91; fibroma [1]; and melanoma [1]), and nonneoplastic masses (6). Minimum follow-up time was 6 mo...
