Analysis of sodium carboxymethylcellulose administration and related factors associated with postoperative colic and survival in horses with small intestinal disease.

The research analyzes how the use of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CBMC) during surgery impacts post-operative colic and survival rates in horses who have undergone abdominal surgery for colic related to small intestinal disease. Findings underscored that CBMC administration appeared to offer protective benefits and additive survival rate in horses with these conditions, suggesting that it could reduce early adhesion formation.

Study Design and Methods

• This research was a retrospective study that involved a total of 203 horses which had undergone surgical procedures for small intestinal disease.
• Out of these, 33 horses had received intraoperative administration of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CBMC).
• Data for the study was sourced from medical records for 170 horses that had the surgical procedure for colic before the use of CBMC and for the 33 horses who had intraoperative CBMC.
• Utilizing Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the researchers estimated median survival time while a Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the hazard ratio for the impact of CBMC and other perioperative variables on survival.

Results of the Study

• The results of the study showed that 75% of the horses that were given CBMC survived to 180 days, while a comparative 75% of untreated horses survived for only 8 days. The median survival time was 18 days.
• Horses that were not given CBMC had twice the probability of dying as compared to those administered CBMC.
• Horses that exhibited postoperative ileus (POI) had a 1.4 times higher chance of death than horses without ileus.
• Similarly, horses with signs of colic post-surgery had a 1.3 times higher probability of dying than horses without postoperative colic signs.

Conclusions from the Research

• It emerged from the study that CBMC administration seems to safeguard against death and enhance survival when utilized intraoperatively on horses with small intestine disease, specifically those with postoperative colic or POI.
• Both POI and colic increased the risk of death following surgery.
• The research concluded that intraoperative administration of CBMC in horses undergoing surgery for small intestines disease could improve survival, potentially by minimizing early adhesion formation.