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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A systematic review of the prevalence of post-operative comp...
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(4); 827-861; doi: 10.1111/evj.14416

A systematic review of the prevalence of post-operative complications after general anaesthesia in adult horses (2000-2023).

Abstract: Equine post-operative morbidity represents a significant concern for both veterinary surgeons and horse owners. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of post-operative complications in horses after elective/non-abdominal surgery or colic surgery. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: A database search identified eligible studies which reported the prevalence of equine post-operative complications published as a full paper in English in a peer-reviewed journal between 2000 and 2023. Studies were evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) framework. Data for the most commonly reported complications were analysed using Chi-squared analysis of weighted means to answer 13 PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes) questions. Results: Sixty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Data for eight post-operative morbidities (colic, surgical site complications, myopathy/neuropathy, laminitis, diarrhoea/colitis, fever/pyrexia, jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis, respiratory complications) were sufficient to allow statistical analyses. The weighted mean of the overall proportion of post-operative complications after elective/non-abdominal surgery is 17.48% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 13.20-22.92), significantly increasing to 55.62% (95% CI: 45.79-65.03) after colic surgery (odds ratio [OR] 6.63; 95% CI: 5.83-7.56; p < 0.001). The most commonly reported morbidity was post-operative colic, with a weighted mean prevalence of 7.45% (95% CI: 4.83-11.76) after elective/non-abdominal surgery, significantly rising to 26.46% (95% CI: 19.11-35.97) after colic surgery (OR 4.11; 95% CI: 3.60-4.71; p < 0.001). The weighted mean prevalence of surgical site complications, laminitis, diarrhoea/colitis, fever/pyrexia, jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis and respiratory complications were significantly higher after colic surgery compared with elective/non-abdominal surgery. Myopathy/neuropathy was the only morbidity where prevalence was not different between groups (OR 1.86; 95% CI: 0.86-4.16; p = 0.16). Conclusions: The majority of studies were retrospective. Morbidity definitions, data collection periods, follow-up time and methods varied between studies. Conclusions: Based on current evidence, the prevalence of post-operative colic, surgical site complications, laminitis, diarrhoea/colitis, fever/pyrexia, jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis and respiratory complications is significantly higher after colic surgery compared with elective/non-abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-24 PubMed ID: 39449518DOI: 10.1111/evj.14416Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Systematic Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article provides a systematic review of studies conducted from 2000-2023 on post-operative complications in horses after general anaesthesia. The study found that such complications are prevalent and significantly higher after colic surgery compared to non-abdominal, elective surgeries.

Research Methodology

The researchers embarked on the study by searching databases for prior relevant researches. Their criteria included:

  • Studies that reported the prevalence of post-operative complications in horses.
  • These studies had to be published between 2000 and 2023 as a full paper in English.
  • The papers also had to be peer-reviewed and published in a journal.

The studies found were critically evaluated using two major tools:

  • JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies: This tool is used to assess the authenticity, robustness, and applicability of a study involving prevalence data.
  • The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) framework: This tool is used to evaluate the quality of evidence in a research piece and the strength of its recommendations.

Results Analysis

Data analysis from the 67 studies that met the eligibility criteria entailed using Chi-squared analysis of weighted means. This method helped answer 13 PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes) questions. The most common procedural aftermaths scrutinised were:

  • Colic
  • Surgical site complications
  • Myopathy/neuropathy
  • Laminitis
  • Diarrhoea/colitis
  • Fever/pyrexia
  • Jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis
  • Respiratory complications

Study Findings

The result highlights that the overall prevalence of post-operative complications after elective/non-abdominal surgery is about 17.48%, but this rises significantly to 55.62% after colic surgery. The complication reported most was post-operative colic. Following elective/non-abdominal surgery, the weighted mean prevalence of surgical site complications, laminitis, diarrhoea/colitis, fever/pyrexia, jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis and respiratory complications were found to have significantly increased after colic surgery. However, the prevalence of myopathy/neuropathy showed no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

The data used in this study was largely drawn from retrospective studies. The definitions for morbidity, data collection periods, follow-up times, and methods varied across the studies, which could have had an impact on findings. Despite this, the study concludes that post-operative colic, surgical site complications, laminitis, diarrhoea/colitis, fever/pyrexia, jugular thrombophlebitis/thrombosis, and respiratory complications are prevalent and significantly higher after colic surgery, as opposed to elective/non-abdominal surgery performed under general anaesthesia.

Cite This Article

APA
Loomes K, de Grauw J, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Redondo JI, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R. (2024). A systematic review of the prevalence of post-operative complications after general anaesthesia in adult horses (2000-2023). Equine Vet J, 57(4), 827-861. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14416

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 827-861

Researcher Affiliations

Loomes, Kate
  • Rainbow Equine Hospital, Malton, North Yorkshire, UK.
de Grauw, Janny
  • Royal Veterinary College, Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, University of London, Hatfield, UK.
Gozalo-Marcilla, Miguel
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK.
Redondo, José I
  • Universidad Cardenal Herrera - CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain.
Bettschart-Wolfensberger, Regula
  • University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Colic / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Prevalence

Grant Funding

  • The Kate Borer-Weir Memorial AVA Fund
  • The AVA Trust
  • The Horse Trust

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