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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.
Postsurgical ventricular tachycardia in a horse. A 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorse developed ventricular tachycardia after elective laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy were performed while anesthesia was maintained with halothane. During surgery, the horse became febrile and developed transient mild hypercarbia. The horse was treated with an IV infusion of quinidine gluconate. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring was used to evaluate cardiac rhythm during treatment, and conversion was achieved after 12 hours of IV infusion. The inciting cause for the arrhythmia was not determined.
Stabilization of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a filly by use of cancellous bone screws. A Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal portion of the right femur in a 2-month-old filly was reduced and stabilized with three 6.5-mm-diameter, 100-mm-long cancellous bone screws through a dorsal approach to the right coxofemoral joint. The screws were removed after 11 months because the filly became lame in the affected limb. The surgical wounds dehisced despite preventive measures, most likely because of tightness of skin in the coxal region. Seven years after the original injury, the horse could perform vigorous paddock exercise without any disability. Early internal fixation of p...
Use of an ecraseur for ovariohysterectomy in mares. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 20 mares at three stages of estrus. An ecraseur was used to severe the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery and vein and the ovarian suspensory ligament en masse. All other vessels supplying the ovaries and uterus were doubly ligated and transected. All mares survived. Complications were intraoperative hemorrhage in three mares, postoperative vaginal bleeding in two mares, and a hematoma in the remnant of the broad ligament in one mare. No adhesions between the uterine stump or remnants of the broad ligament and abdominal structures were detected by palpatio...
Colopexy in broodmares: 44 cases (1986-1990). Colopexies were performed in 44 broodmares requiring abdominal surgery for large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Colopexies were performed by suturing the lateral bands of the left and right ventral colon to the ventral abdominal wall. Forty-seven percent of the mares in which a colopexy was performed had previous surgery for a large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Postoperative complications considered directly associated with the colopexy procedure were intermittent abdominal pain in 7, reoperation in 5, subcutaneous fistulous t...
A one-stage repair of third-degree perineal lacerations and rectovestibular fistulae in 17 mares. Third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae in 17 mares were repaired surgically by a one-stage method. Primary healing occurred in 14 mares; there were one complete dehiscence and two partial dehiscences with fistula formation. Twelve of 13 mares that were bred became pregnant; nine carried foals to term and two are still pregnant. Two mares have each produced one unthrifty foal. One mare repeatedly aborts in the first trimester. Four mares have produced several healthy foals with no further problems. One mare suffered further perineal trauma while foaling.
Fate and effect of autogenous osteochondral fragments implanted in the middle carpal joint of horses. Four autogenous osteochondral fragments removed from the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus were arthroscopically placed as loose bodies in a randomly selected middle carpal joint in each of 10 horses. The contralateral middle carpal joint, subjected to a sham procedure, served as control. Postoperative treatment was consistent with that for clinical arthroscopic patients. Lameness evaluation, radiographic examination, carpal circumference measurement, and synovial fluid analysis were performed before and at scheduled intervals after surgery. After a 2-month confinement, horses were subjecte...
The effect of CO2 laser neurectomy on neuroma formation and axonal regeneration. In an attempt to prevent neuroma formation and digital reinnervation after sharp palmar digital neurectomy in 10 adult horses with navicular disease, 18,426 W/cm2 of CO2 laser energy was applied to the proximal nerve stump. Clinical follow-up was 4 to 23 months. In two horses, palmar digital nerve biopsies were taken at month 4 (four nerves) and month 7 (two nerves). Nine horses were sound immediately and at all follow-up examinations. None had clinical evidence of painful neuroma or digital reinnervation. Histologically, there was minimal scar tissue at the surgical site; axonal sprouts were ...
Retrospective study of 38 cases of femur fractures in horses less than one year of age. Medical records of 38 horses less than 1 year of age and diagnosed as having a fracture of the femoral diaphysis, metaphysis or distal physis were evaluated. Twenty-six foals had fractures of the femoral diaphysis or metaphysis with the most common fracture configuration being comminuted. Twelve foals had distal physeal fractures with the most common fracture configuration being a Salter-Harris type II. Twenty-one foals with fractures of the capital femoral physis, neck or greater trochanter during the same time period were excluded from this study. Surgical repair was attempted in 16 diaphyse...
Intravenous catheterisation of foetus and mare in late pregnancy: management and respiratory, circulatory and metabolic effects. The uterine and umbilical vessels of 12 pregnant ponies were catheterised to study foetal metabolism. The effects of this procedure on maternal and foetal cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and adrenocortical activity were monitored during and after surgery. Premedication with acepromazine-butorphanol-detomidine was followed by induction of anaesthesia with detomidine and ketamine and maintenance, using mechanical ventilation, with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Mean maternal arterial blood pressure was greater than 70 mmHg during anaesthesia and arterial oxygen tension remained ov...
Comparison of recoveries from halothane vs isoflurane anesthesia in horses. Recovery from isoflurane anesthesia was shorter, with no difference in quality, compared with halothane anesthesia in 2 groups of horses. In 1 group, 12 horses scheduled for elective arthroscopy were randomly assigned to receive halothane or isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia during surgery. In the other group, 6 horses received anesthesia only, on 2 occasions, with halothane on 1 occasion, and isoflurane on the other. Difference in the quality of recovery was not seen between isoflurane and halothane anesthesia in either group. In the group that had surgery, recovery to sternal position...
Resection and anastomosis for treatment of strangulating volvulus of the large colon of horses. Strangulating volvulus of the large colon was treated by resection and anastomosis of the colon in 9 horses. Tissue specimens were obtained at the site of the resection for histologic evaluation. An attempt was made to correlate the appearance of the colon at the time of surgery to the histologic evaluation and the eventual outcome. Six of the 9 horses (66%) survived. This is in contrast to a reported survival of 34.7 to 36% after decompression and reduction of colonic volvulus. Survival after surgery could not be predicted on the basis of visual assessment or histologic examination.
Surgical treatment of colic in American miniature horses: 15 cases (1980-1987). A study of 15 American miniature horses (AMH) that underwent surgical treatment for colic was performed. Information obtained from the medical records included signalment, clinical signs, type and location of gastrointestinal lesion, and postoperative complications. All 15 AMH had intraluminal obstructions, attributable to feed impactions (11 horses), enteroliths (2), and sand (2). The most common location of obstruction was the small colon, which was involved in 9 of the 15 cases. All 15 AMH survived and were discharged from the hospital. Six of the 15 AMH underwent subsequent surgical treatm...
Complete excision of a fractured fourth metatarsal bone in eight horses. Proximal open comminuted fractures of the fourth metatarsal bone (Mt IV) in eight horses were treated by complete removal of the affected bone and antimicrobial therapy. Two horses had concurrent septic arthritis of the tarsocrural or distal tarsal articulations, and five horses had radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis and sequestration of the affected bone. Five horses became athletically sound for their intended use, two horses with septic arthritis had residual lameness but were pasture sound, and one horse was lost to follow-up. Excision of the entire bone appears to be an acceptable tre...
Histopathology in post-surgical laminitis with a peracute course in a horse. LAMINITIS after abdominal surgery is a well known
complication that may occur after the horse has recovered from
colic (McIlwraith and Turner 1987). We had the opportunity to
examine a horse with post-surgical laminitis with a peracute
course whose early death made it possible to gain material from
the acute stage for histopathological investigations. We consider
that our observations may be of some value for colleagues
interested in the pathogenesis of laminitis.
Uterine torsion and uterine tear in a mare. A 15-year-old Standard-bred mare was examined because of signs of abdominal discomfort in late gestation. Palpation per rectum revealed tight broad ligaments above and below the uterus, with the right broad ligament running across the top of the uterine body down toward the left, ventral side of the abdomen. A diagnosis of counterclockwise uterine torsion was made and surgical correction was approached via a left, flank laparotomy with the horse standing. The uterus was repositioned and a uterine tear encompassing 180 degrees of the uterine surface was found in the lateral, uterine body just c...
Surgical treatment of dorsal cortical fractures of the third metacarpal bone in thoroughbred racehorses: 53 cases (1985-1989). Between January 1985 and May 1989, 53 Thoroughbred horses (mean age 3.2 years) were surgically treated for dorsal cortical fractures of the third metacarpal bone (MC III). All horses were treated with cortical drilling through the fracture line (osteostixis). Diagnosis of the fractures was confirmed by xeroradiography. Lifetime racing records were obtained for all horses. Forty-seven horses returned to racing after surgery (89%). The mean time between surgery and the first race was 6.8 months. Horses had a mean of 10.9 starts before surgery and 16.1 starts after surgery. The mean earnings per ...
Ileocecal intussusception corrected by resection within the cecum in two horses. Irreducible ileocecal intussusceptions pose a difficult surgical problem. Strangulating ileocecal intussusceptions involving the ileum and jejunum were identified in 2 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy because of colic. Surgical correction in both horses was achieved by amputation of the ileocecal intussusception from within the cecal lumen, via typhlotomy. The inverted ileal stump was blindly stapled near the ileocecal orifice after pulling the intussusceptum into the cecum. A jejunocecostomy was performed to reestablish intestinal continuity.
Arthroscopic removal of an osteochondral fragment from the caudal pouch of the lateral femorotibial joint in a colt. An osteochondral fragment was removed from the caudal pouch of the lateral femorotibial joint in a 2-year-old Trakehner colt by use of arthroscopic surgery and a lateral approach. The approach to this aspect of the femorotibial joints was developed in another horse. The fragment was not attached and resembled an osteochondritis dissecans lesion. The intermittent lameness associated with the fragment resolved after surgical removal. A positive response to diagnostic anesthesia of the femorotibial joint in the absence of a confirmed diagnosis (following radiographic and arthroscopic evaluations ...
Comparison of endometrium before and after repair of third-degree rectovestibular lacerations in mares. The endometrial response of mares to repair of third-degree rectovestibular lacerations was evaluated. Endometrial biopsy specimens from 8 mares with third-degree rectovestibular laceration were obtained immediately before surgery and from 9 to 15 days after repair. Presurgical endometrial biopsy specimens were classified as category I for 2 mares; category II, attributable to slight endometritis, for 5 mares; and category III, attributable to moderate-to-severe endometritis, for 1 mare. Within 15 days after rectovestibular repair, all endometrial biopsy specimens were classified as category I...
Loop colostomy for management of rectal tears and small-colon injuries in horses: 10 cases (1976-1989). Loop colostomy was performed in 10 horses as treatment for grade-III rectal tears (n = 6 horses), small-colon infarction (n = 2 horses), perirectal abscess and stenosis (n = 1 horse), and small-colon stricture (n = 1 horse). In 7 horses, the colostomy was constructed through a single incision low in the left flank, with closure of the incision around the stoma (single-incision technique). In 3 horses, 2 of which had colostomy performed as a standing procedure, the selected segment of small colon was placed from a flank incision into a separate, small incision low in the left flank (double-inci...
Postpartum partial cystectomy through the vagina in a mare with everted partially necrotic bladder. The bladder of a 750-kg Clydesdale mare had everted through the urethra into the vagina immediately after parturition. The bladder was reinverted into the peritoneal cavity by an attending veterinarian, but 4 days later, the bladder was everted again in the vagina. The mare was able to void urine through both ureters, which could be seen in the mucosal surface of the bladder. The everted bladder had become edematous and could not be reinverted through the urethra. A considerable portion of the fundus was necrotic. The mare was administered xylazine epidurally to induce perineal analgesia, and ...
[The surgical therapy of equine recurrent uveitis]. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the most frequently encountered cause of eye problems and blindness in horses. Classic treatment of ERU includes mydriatics, corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite vigorous topical and systemic treatment, however, in many cases, the prognosis for preserving vision remains poor. Experiences with surgical treatment of chronic endogenous uveitis in human patients have shown that vision-impairing axial opacities in the vitreous body can be removed by pars plana vitrectomy, and that a considerable decrease in the frequency and severity of...
Hypoglycemia and hepatic ischemic necrosis after small intestinal incarceration through the epiploic foramen in a horse. A 16-year-old stallion was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute abdominal pain. Physical examination and diagnostic procedures indicated a strangulating obstruction of the small intestine. At exploratory celiotomy, a strangulating incarceration of the jejunum through the epiploic foramen was found. The incarcerated small intestine was reduced, then resection of the nonviable bowel and anastomosis performed. After surgery, the horse exhibited clinical signs and laboratory findings associated with hypoglycemia and died in spite of emerg...
Tension-band wiring and lag screw fixation of a transverse, comminuted fracture of a patella in a horse. A transverse, comminuted fracture of the patella was treated surgically by combining tension-band wiring and lag-screw fixation in a horse. Partial patellectomy or smaller detached fragments of the patella was performed. Satisfactory healing of the fracture was evident 10 weeks after surgery, and there were no complications. Implants were not removed. The horse was sound at a trot 4 months after surgery and was used for pleasure riding 8 months later.
Repair of superior palpebral defect in a horse by use of silicone subdermal implant. A silicone subdermal implant was used in the surgical repair of a superior palpebral defect in a horse. The right superior palpebra was missing from the lateral canthus superiorly to the 1 o'clock position, and a corneal ulcer, anterior uveitis, and right micropalpebral fissure also were observed. Lateral canthotomy and canthoplasty were performed to enlarge the palpebral fissure, and a silicone implant was inserted in the superior palpebra to replace the missing tarsal plate. These procedures resulted in a successful reconstruction, with improvement of palpebral function.
Reconstruction of the parotid duct in a horse using an interposition polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft. A Thoroughbred gelding was referred for treatment of a parotid duct fistula. This had developed after the referring veterinarian had excised a portion of the duct, and ligated the proximal end, as a means of treating a recurring sialocoele. This report describes the successful surgical reconstruction of the excised 15 cm portion of the parotid duct using an interposition polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft.
Long-term outcome of tooth repulsion in horses. A retrospective study of 61 cases. The records of 61 horses undergoing tooth repulsion for treatment of alveolar periostitis were reviewed. Seventeen of 36 horses (47%) in which maxillary teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, such as infection of a second tooth, bone sequestration, chronic sinusitis, draining tracts, retained dental packing, feed impaction of the alveolus or sinus, suture-line dehiscence, or skin-flap sloughs. Eight horses required at least one additional surgical procedure. Eight of 25 horses (32%) in which mandibular teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, and four ho...
Ileal intussusception in 16 young thoroughbreds. The paper describes the outcome of 16 cases of short-ileal-ileal intussusception in young Thoroughbred horses. The intussusception was often associated with chronic or intermittent low grade abdominal pain. At laparotomy, only the intussusception was reduced in one horse; in another, a myotomy of the thickened stenosed intussusception was carried out after reduction. In 11 cases as ileocaecal bypass anastomosis was performed proximal to the intussusception after its reduction. One horse was subjected to euthanasia during operation because of irreversible intestinal wall damage and another beca...
Anesthetic management of an incisional dehiscence in recovery following exploratory laparotomy in a horse. A 5-year old Arabian mare fell during recovery from general anesthesia after an exploratory laparotomy. This fall resulted in dehiscence of the abdominal closure, and a substantial amount of intestines were exteriorized. Chemical and manual restraints were rapidly used to prevent trauma to the exposed intestines. A second general anesthesia was initiated to clean the intestines and close the incision. Multiple anesthetic problems were encountered, including arterial hypotension and hypoxemia. The horse recovered from the second general anesthesia and surgery, and all complications gradually re...
Progressive ethmoidal haematoma in horses. Progressive ethmoidal haematoma was diagnosed in 12 Thoroughbreds, 1 part- Arab and 1 stock horse. Ages ranged from 3 to 18 years and both males and females were affected. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical signs, endoscopic and radiographic findings, and was confirmed histologically in 10 cases. Eleven (78%) of the lesions were unilateral and 3 (22%) were bilateral. Two horses were euthanased on diagnosis, 4 were treated conservatively. Of the latter, 3 were euthanased 6 to 24 months after diagnosis, due to progression of the lesions, while 1 case resolved completely within 13 months. E...
