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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.
Current concepts in management of abdominal adhesions. Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Adjunctive methods in equine gastrointestinal surgery. The medical management of postoperative abdominal disorders remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the equine clinician. Recent advances in the development of techniques and medications to offset or attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxemia, and ileus are encouraging and potentially will decrease the incidence of additional complications.
Ovariectomy of granulosa cell tumors in mares by use of the diagonal paramedian approach: 12 cases (1989-1995). To describe the short- and long-term survival rates in horses undergoing ovariectomy for granulosa cell tumors by use of the diagonal paramedian approach. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: 12 horses with granulosa cell tumors. Methods: A diagonal paramedian approach for unilateral ovariectomy was used for removal of each mare's granulosa cell tumor. Information about complications and outcomes was analyzed. Results: Only minimal complications were detected postoperatively when the diagonal paramedian approach was used, regardless of the preferred technique for ovarian pedicle ligatio...
Surgical treatment of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone in a thoroughbred horse. The clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in a case of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone of a thoroughbred chaser are described, and its surgical treatment and aftercare are detailed. The horse made an uneventful recovery and successfully returned to racing.
Laparoscopic cryptorchid castration in standing horses. This article describes a new technique for laparoscopic cryptorchid castration in standing horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Eight horses aged 11 months to 3 years and weighing between 300 and 643 kg. Methods: Food was withheld for 24 to 36 hours, and then horses were sedated with detomidine HCl (0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg) and butorphanol tartrate (0.02 mg/kg). The paralumbar fossa region was desensitized with 2% mepivacaine in an inverted "L" pattern and caudal epidural anesthesia was administered with either xylazine (0.18 mg/kg diluted to 10 to 15 mL with 0.9% sodium chloride) or a comb...
Abdominal surgery in foals: a review of 119 cases (1977-1994). The case records of 119 young horses (all less than age one year) that underwent an exploratory celiotomy during a 17 year period were examined to determine the surgical findings, short- and long-term outcome, and prevalence of small intestinal disease compared to previous reports in the mature horse. Physical and laboratory values were compared for long-term survivors vs. nonsurvivors and the frequency of post operative intra-abdominal adhesions was determined. The most common cause for exploratory celiotomy was small intestinal strangulation, followed by enteritis and uroperitoneum. Six hors...
Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in standing horses. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using laparoscopy to remove cryptorchid testes from standing horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Eleven client-owned horses ranging in age from 4 months to 2 years. Methods: Abdominal insufflation was initiated and maintained using a 20 F insufflation tube, attached via a stopcock, to the low pressure regulator on a standard carbon dioxide pressure tank. After trocar and laparoscope placement in the ipsilateral flank the testes were identified. Local anesthesia of the structures to be manipulated was administered t...
Modified carotid artery transposition for repetitive arterial blood gas sampling in large animals. A modified surgical procedure for creation of a carotid loop for repeated percutaneous sampling of arterial blood gas was performed on 8 Holstein heifers and 14 horses. This approach permitted sampling of blood gas via fine-needle aspiration (one to three times daily) and/or catheterization for extended periods. It offers several advantages over previously reported techniques, including greater accessibility, absence of postoperative complications such as hematoma formation, and absence of foreign materials supporting the loop.
Repair of a deep digital tendon deficit in a horse using a polypropylene implant. A yearling horse was treated for a chronic wound with a 4 cm deficit in the deep digital tendon. The gap in the tendon was bridged with paired polypropylene braided implants designed for use as a ligament augmentation device. Uncomplicated healing and return to function occurred.
Diaphragmatic hernia repair in three young horses. This clinical report describes surgical correction of diaphragmatic hernia in three young horses. Methods: Retrospective investigation of medical records and subsequent racing performance. Methods: Three young horses with diaphragmatic hernia. Results: Three young horses with signs of abdominal pain had diaphragmatic hernia causing small intestinal strangulation. The strangulated small intestine was resected and an end-to-end jejuno-jejunal (two horses) or a side-to-side jejuno-cecal anastomosis (one horse) was performed. Diaphragmatic hernias were closed with a continuous suture pattern. All ...
Severe nasal hemorrhage in an anesthetized horse. An 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with colic was anesthetized for surgical correction of right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon. Removal of the nasogastric tube at the end of surgery resulted in hemorrhage from the nares and loss of 24 L of blood. Treatment included administration of acetated Ringer's solution, hypertonic saline solution, and dobutamine. A blood transfusion was started after hemorrhage was controlled, and arterial pressure was restored to the prehemorrhage value, but was stopped after infusion of 2.7 L of blood because of a suspected adverse reaction. This case indi...
Recovery of equine forelimb function after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon. The recovery process of the equine locomotor system after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT) was investigated by studying the movement patterns and joint moments in 6 horses before and 10 days and 6 months following surgery. Using a modified CODA-3 system the joint angles and angular velocities of the lower limb were assessed in the operated forelimb as before the operation. Simultaneously ground reaction forces were measured and joint moments calculated. At 10 days and 6 months after the operation the carpal joint started to bend earlier in the sta...
Lateral approach for endoscopic removal of solitary osteochondromas from the distal radial metaphysis in three horses. A lateral approach to the carpal sheath was used for endoscopic removal of osteochondromas from the distal aspect of the radius in 3 horses. Previously osteochondromas have been removed through an incision into the carpal sheath; however, endoscopy is less invasive, requires less surgery and convalescence time, provides better cosmetic results, is associated with a lower risk of infection, and allows better examination of structures within the sheath. A medial approach for endoscopic removal has been described previously; however, the lateral approach was advantageous, because it avoided the m...
Postanesthetic hemorrhagic myelopathy or myelomalacia. Hemorrhagic myelopathy or myelomalacia is an uncommon cause of failure to stand after general anesthesia. Affected horses are usually young and have been anesthetized for relatively short times in dorsal recumbency. Clinical signs involve the hind limbs and include loss of deep pain perception. Etiology of this condition is not known. Differentiation from other forms of neuropathy and myopathy is important to the prognosis.
Lag screw fixation of an extensor process fracture in a foal with flexural deformity. A 4-month-old colt with stage I flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint was diagnosed as having a type IV nondisplaced fracture of the extensor process of the 3rd phalanx. An inferior check ligament desmotomy and internal fixation of the fracture were performed. Favorable long-term results for internal fixation of extensor process fractures are presented.
Surgical repair of the parotid gland in a gelding. The surgical repair of a traumatic injury to the parotid (Stenson's) duct of an adult horse is described and compared with previous reports. The diagnosis was confirmed by the analysis of a flow of saliva-like fluid observed while the horse was eating. The repair was attempted under general anaesthesia three days after the injury. Surgical anastomosis was considered to have improved the rate of healing. However, there was some evidence of leakage of saliva from the site for three days after the removal of the in-dwelling catheter, seven days postoperatively. A full recovery followed.
An in vitro biomechanical investigation of the mechanical properties of dynamic compression plated osteotomized adult equine tibiae. To determine the monotonic mechanical properties of osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with two dynamic compression plates (DCP) and to compare the mechanical properties with those of intact tibiae and in vivo loads. Methods: The compressive, bending, and torsional mechanical properties of plated and intact tibiae were assessed in vitro. Methods: Twelve pairs of adult equine tibiae. Methods: Tibiae were loaded in axial compression, craniocaudal 3-point bending, or torsion in external rotation in a single cycle to failure. Mechanical properties were determined from load-displacement da...
Preliminary investigations of pain and analgesia assessment in horses administered phenylbutazone or placebo after arthroscopic surgery. Twenty-five horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery were studied to develop a scheme for assessing pain in horses while investigating the effects of phenylbutazone (PBZ) analgesia. Fifteen of the 25 horses received PBZ 4 mg/kg intravenously (IV) before surgery and 2 mg/kg (IV) every 12 hours thereafter until 60 hours; the remaining 10 (placebo group) were given a corresponding volume of saline. In both groups, venous blood samples were collected for catecholamine, beta-endorphin, and cortisol assays before premedication and up to 72 hours after surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated by measu...
A pharmacodynamic study of propofol or propofol and ketamine infusions in ponies undergoing surgery. The pharmacodynamics of infusions of propofol alone (group 1) were compared with the pharmacodynamics of infusions of propofol and ketamine together (group 2) in eight ponies undergoing castration. Anaesthesia was induced with detomidine, 20 micrograms kg-1, followed by ketamine, 2.2 mg kg-1. Subsequently, a bolus dose of propofol, 0.5 mg kg-1, was administered intravenously to both groups, and an infusion of propofol was given for an average of 74 minutes to group 1, and an infusion of propofol and ketamine was given for 60 minutes to group 2. The mean (SD) infusion rates of propofol were 0.3...
Bacterial culturing of ventral median celiotomies for prediction of postoperative incisional complications in horses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether detection of bacterial contamination of ventral midline incisions was predictive of postoperative incisional complications in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Horses that had ventral median celiotomies for colic at Colorado State University between May 1, 1991 and April 30, 1993 were studied prospectively. Complete information was obtained on 66 horses. Methods: Bacterial cultures were obtained from ventral midline incisions at surgery. Information regarding the type of surgery performed (...
Risk factors for wound infection following celiotomy in horses. To determine the prevalence of wound infection following celiotomy in horses and to determine risk factors associated with the development of such infections. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 210 horses that had 235 celiotomies. Methods: All horses that had celiotomies between March 1990 and March 1992 were considered for this study. Only horses that survived > or = 10 days after surgery were included in analysis of risk factors for postoperative wound infection. Results: Of the 210 horses, 161 (76.7%) were discharged; of the horses discharged, 147 horses had a single celiotomy and 14 h...
High stability of the Ilizarov ringfixator in a metacarpal fracture of an Arabian foal. In a case of I degree open multifragmentary metacarpal fracture of a 4-week-old Arabian foal, an osteosynthesis with the Ilizarov ringfixator was performed. Immediate full weight-bearing (100 kg) was possible, demonstrating the high stability of the Ilizarov ringsystem. After 12 weeks, sufficient bony union was achieved, and the fixator could be removed. At that time, the body weight of the foal was 170 kg. In our opinion, this case proves the high stability and efficiency of the ringsystem under difficult and unusual conditions.
The equine endometrial mast cell during the puerperal period: evaluation of mast cell numbers and types in comparison to other inflammatory changes. Endometrial biopsies of 44 broodmares were histologically examined on days 3, 6, and 9 postpartum. The mares were subdivided into three groups according to the course of the puerperal period. In 29 mares, parturition and expulsion of the placenta was normal, six mares showed dystocia, and in nine mares, the placenta was retained for > 2 hours. Tissue samples were evaluated histologically, and the average numbers of granulocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, siderophages, and mast cells was determined. Protease content of mast cells was examined with a double-enzyme immunohistochemical staining...
A clinical trial of probiotic administration for prevention of Salmonella shedding in the postoperative period in horses with colic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic administration on the prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella, the prevalence of postoperative diarrhea, the length of antimicrobial therapy, and the length of the hospitalization stay during the postoperative period in horses with colic. Two commercially available probiotics for horses were used in a double-blind prospective study of 200 horses undergoing surgery for colic. Probiotic or placebo was administered PO once a day for 7 days postoperatively, and fecal cultures for Salmonella were obtained daily for 10 days. After...
Efficacy of prosthetic laryngoplasty with and without bilateral ventriculocordectomy as treatments for laryngeal hemiplegia in horses. To evaluate the efficacy of prosthetic laryngoplasty with and without bilateral ventriculocordectomy for treatment of experimentally induced left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Methods: 15 adult Standardbreds. Methods: Horses were allotted to 3 equal groups. Sham operation (group 1), prosthetic laryngoplasty (group 2), or prosthetic laryngoplasty with bilateral ventriculocordectomy (group 3) was performed after induction of LLH. Upper airway function testing was performed prior to left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (LRLN), 14 days after LRLN, and 60 and 180 days after surgical treatment. Measure...
Negative pressure pulmonary edema as a post-anesthetic complication associated with upper airway obstruction in a horse. An 8-year-old Trakehner mare developed fulminant pulmonary edema following suspected upper airway obstruction 50 minutes into an otherwise unremarkable anesthetic recovery after surgery for left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle reinnervation and ventriculocordectomy. Establishing a patent airway by orotracheal reintubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Gross, histological, and electron microscopic postmortem examination showed severe hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. Laryngeal swelling or hemorrhage were not evident, suggesting laryngospasm or functional airway coll...
Efficacy of metoclopramide for treatment of ileus in horses following small intestinal surgery: 70 cases (1989-1992). In this retrospective study, postoperative ileus was studied in horses having resection of the small intestine followed by a jejunojejunal (n = 35) or a jejunocaecal (n = 35) anastomosis. Twenty-six horses received no metoclopramide, 27 received metoclopramide as an intermittent intravenous infusion and 17 horses received metoclopramide as a continuous intravenous infusion (0.04 mg/kg/hour). Horses receiving a continuous infusion of metoclopramide had a reduced total volume (P < 0.001), shorter duration (P < 0.001), and a slower rate (P < 0.001) of postoperative gastric reflux, and a ...
