A prospective multicentre survey of complications associated with equine castration to facilitate clinical audit.
Abstract: Despite the regularity with which castration is performed, the types of complications and current best practice are unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a prospective audit of routine equine castrations performed in general practice to determine complication rates and factors associated with them. Methods: Multicentre, prospective audit of castrations. Methods: Data on castrations were collected on the day of surgery from 18 veterinary practices; 30-days post-operatively follow-up was obtained and complications recorded. Frequency of complications was reported, and multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models used to investigate factors associated with the most common complications of bleeding in the first 24 h, stiffness of gait and/or swelling and discharge and/or infection. Results: Data were collected on 495 castrations performed by 53 participating veterinary surgeons. Over two thirds of surgeries were performed outside, 21% were performed under standing sedation and 79% with the horse recumbent. Almost all (98 and 97%) patients received preoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and antimicrobials, respectively. One or more intraoperative complications were reported in 14.5% of procedures; most common were bleeding and excessive movement. Follow-up to 30 days was available for 392 equids. One or more complications were reported in 44 castrations (11.2%). Swelling was the most common, then infection and stiffness of gait. Serious complications were rare. Conclusions: It is possible that there was bias towards submission of data for procedures where complications occurred. The low complication rates reduced the power to determine factors associated with complications. Minor complications may go unreported by owners and may be underrepresented. Conclusions: Overall complications associated with castration are low and mortality rare. Findings from this study can be used as guidelines for practices to perform regular audit to determine if their negative outcomes are comparable or warrant further investigation.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018-11-22 PubMed ID: 30362600DOI: 10.1111/evj.13035Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
Summary
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The research investigates the rates and types of complications that arise from equine castration in general practice. It also identifies factors that might be associated with these complications.
Research Objective
This research aimed to perform a prospect audit on routine equine castrations done in general practices to find out their complication rates and the factors that are associated with these complications.
Research Methods
- 18 veterinary practices participated in a multicentre, prospective audit of castrations.
- Data on castrations were collected on the day of the operation and a follow-up was done 30 days post-operation.
- Using multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models, factors associated with the most common complications including bleeding within the first 24 hours, stiffness of gait and/or swelling, and discharge and/or infection were investigated.
Research Results
- Information from 495 castrations performed by 53 participating veterinary surgeons was collected.
- About 14.5% of the procedures reported one or more intraoperative complications, with bleeding and excessive movement being the most common.
- 11.2% of the cases had one or more complications reported, with swelling, infection, and stiffness of gait being the prevalent issues. Serious complications however were quite rare.
- Nearly all of the patients received preoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and antimicrobials.
- The majority of castrations were performed outdoors and with the horse recumbent.
Research Conclusions and Considerations
- The results suggest potential bias towards submission of data in favor of cases where complications arose.
- The power to determine factors associated with complications may be reduced due to the overall low rate of complications.
- Owners may not have reported minor complications, and these cases might be underrepresented as a result.
- Despite these considerations, the study concludes that overall complications associated with castration are low, and mortality is rare.
- These findings could serve as guidelines for veterinary practices to conduct regular audits to determine if their negative outcomes are similar or require additional study.
Cite This Article
APA
Hodgson C, Pinchbeck G.
(2018).
A prospective multicentre survey of complications associated with equine castration to facilitate clinical audit.
Equine Vet J, 51(4), 435-439.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13035 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science - Equine, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Horses / surgery
- Intraoperative Complications / veterinary
- Orchiectomy / adverse effects
- Orchiectomy / veterinary
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Delvescovo B, McOnie R, Pearson G, Pugliese B, Hackett ES. Emergency Standing Laparoscopic Treatment of Uncontrolled Post-Castration Hemorrhage in Two Geldings. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 2;14(15).
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