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Equine veterinary journal2021; doi: 10.1111/evj.13498

Acute abdominal dehiscence following laparotomy: A multicentre, international retrospective study.

Abstract: Incisional complications are a common cause of morbidity following laparotomy. Although uncommon, acute abdominal dehiscence (AAD) is a potentially fatal post-operative complication. However, few AAD cases are described in the literature. Objective: To describe common features of cases of AAD following ventral midline laparotomy, management and outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Hospital records of horses that underwent a ventral midline laparotomy at nine hospitals in the UK, Ireland and USA over a 10-year period (2009-2019) were reviewed. Data were collected for pre-, intra- and post-operative factors that were considered relevant. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 63 cases of AAD were identified. AAD occurred due to tearing of sutures through the linea alba or rupture of the body wall adjacent to the suture line in 46 horses (73%). AAD occurred at a median of 5 days (0.5-70 days) post-operatively and broodmares accounted for 25% of the cases (n = 16). Surgical site infection developed prior to AAD in 28 horses (44%); leakage of peritoneal fluid occurred in 5% of horses prior to AAD being identified. Surgical repair was performed in 27 horses (43%), 10 (16%) were treated conservatively and 26 (41%) were euthanised immediately. Repair was most frequently performed using suture (n = 14), wire (n = 5) or a combination (n = 5). Overall survival to hospital discharge was 39% (24/63). Where surgical repair was performed, 15 horses (56%) survived to hospital discharge; 9 horses (90%) managed conservatively survived to hospital discharge. Conclusions: Follow-up was not performed for all cases following hospital discharge and some data were incompletely recorded in hospital files. Conclusions: Previously stated causative factors for AAD were not consistent features in the present study. Surgical site infection following laparotomy and pregnant or early post-partum mares may be important risk factors for AAD and warrant further investigation.
© 2021 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-08-21 PubMed ID: 34418125DOI: 10.1111/evj.13498Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 explores the issue of Acute Abdominal Dehiscence (AAD) following an abdominal surgery known as a laparotomy in horses. The research also investigates the common reasons for this complication and the outcomes when such incidents occur.

Objective and Methodology

The research aimed to outline the frequent characteristics of AAD incidents following laparotomies, as well as the varying treatment methods and their outcomes.

To achieve this, the research team carried out a retrospective review of hospital records of horses that had undergone ventral midline laparotomies (a type of abdominal surgery) at nine different hospitals within the UK, Ireland, and USA, over a 10-year span from 2009 to 2019. Data was collected concerning:

  • Preoperative factors
  • Intraoperative factors
  • Postoperative factors

The data was then subjected to descriptive statistical analysis.

Results

The review identified 63 cases of AAD in horses. This occurred chiefly as a result of sutures tearing through the linea alba (abdominal midline) or rupture of the body wall close to the suture line, which was seen in 73% of the cases.

In the majority of cases, AAD was noticed five days post operation, though this ranged from half a day to 70 days. A significant proportion of these cases (25%) were on broodmares – mares used for breeding.

44% of cases had a surgical site infection before AAD was detected. Further, leakage of peritoneal fluid, which is the fluid from the abdominal cavity, was noticed in 5% of horses before identification of AAD.

Treatments and Outcomes

In terms of treatment strategies, surgical repair was carried out in 43% of the cases, whereas conservative treatment and immediate euthanisation were utilised in 16% and 41% of cases, respectively. Methods of repair that were noted included using sutures or wires, or a combination of these.

The general survival rate to hospital discharge was 39%. Of the horses that underwent surgical repair, 56% survived to hospital discharge, while 90% of those managed conservatively survived to hospital discharge.

Conclusions

Although follow-up was not conducted for all cases post their discharge and some data were incompletely recorded, the research suggests that earlier identified causative factors for AAD were not consistently present as features in this study. It also reveals that surgical site infection post-laparotomy and the condition of horses being pregnant or in the early post-partum period may be important risk factors for AAD. More investigation on this front is recommended by the researchers.

Cite This Article

APA
Hann MJ, Mair TS, Gardner A, Mudge M, Southwood LL, Dechant JE, Barton MH, Garcia-Macias J, Parker RA, Hassel D, Archer DC. (2021). Acute abdominal dehiscence following laparotomy: A multicentre, international retrospective study. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13498

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Hann, Michelle J
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, UK.
Mair, Tim S
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Maidstone, UK.
Gardner, Alison
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Mudge, Margaret
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Southwood, Louise L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Dechant, Julie E
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Barton, Michelle H
  • University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Garcia-Macias, Jesus
  • Troytown Greyabbey Equine Veterinary Services, Kildare, Ireland.
Parker, Russell A
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
Hassel, Diana
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Archer, Debbie C
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Gaitan HM, Mudge MC, Litsky AS, Arruda AG, Gardner AK. Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of tissue construct strength in an equine colopexy model. Vet Surg 2025 Jan;54(1):189-198.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14117pubmed: 38975740google scholar: lookup
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