FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2016; 217; 3-7; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.09.004

Are horse age and incision length associated with surgical site infection following equine colic surgery?

Abstract: It is our clinical impression that age and incision length are more strongly associated with surgical site infection (SSI) following colic surgery than skin closure or wound protection method. Therefore, the objective of this observational clinical cohort study was to identify the risks for SSI in horses undergoing colic surgery. Data collection included pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables. Variables with P < 0.2 following univariable analysis were used in a logistic regression multivariable model. Variables with P <0.05 were included in the final model. Odds ratios (OR; 95% confidence intervals, 95% CI) were determined. The area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver-operator characteristic was calculated. The final multivariable model included breed (P = 0.008), incision length (P = 0.004), surgical procedure classification (P <0.001), and postoperative (PO) colic (P = 0.037; overall model P <0.001, and AUC was 0.81 [excellent discrimination between SSI vs. no SSI]). Warmbloods (OR 12.0; 95% CI 2.7-74.8), American breeds (OR 6.4; 95% CI 1.2-43.0), and Thoroughbreds (4.5; 95% CI 1.1-25.5) more commonly had SSI than other breeds (ponies/miniature horses, Draft breeds, Standardbreds, Arabians, and Crossbreeds [referent]). A higher SSI rate was associated with incision lengths >27 cm (3.7; 95% CI 1.5-9.9), heavily contaminated procedures (12.0; 95% CI 3.3-49.9), and horses with PO colic (2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.8). SSI appeared to be more common after heavily contaminated procedures and in horses with PO colic, which probably resulted in more incisional contamination and trauma. Some breeds appeared to have higher odds of SSI. Age was not associated with SSI. The risk of developing SSI was higher for horses with an incision >27 cm; therefore, surgeons are encouraged to use the minimum incision length required to accomplish the necessary abdominal exploration and bowel manipulation in the safest manner possible.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-09-22 PubMed ID: 27810207DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.09.004Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

The research focuses on understanding the impact of factors such as age and incision length on the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in horses after colic surgery. The observation suggests that breed, incision length, classification of the surgical procedure, and postoperative colic are more significant factors in determining SSI than age.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to discover the risk factors associated with surgical site infection in horses undergoing colic surgery. It was based on a clinical impression that age and incision length have a stronger correlation with SSI than wound protection or skin closure methods.
  • Data was collected on various factors pre, during, and post-operation. Statistical analysis was conducted, where variables with P value < 0.2 were included in a logistic regression model, and those with P < 0.05 were used in the final model.
  • The performance of the model was assessed using the Receiver Operative Characteristic, with the area under the curve (AUC) providing a measure of how well the model was able to distinguish between cases with and without SSI.

Results and Findings

  • The studied variables that were part of the final model included breed, incision length, surgical procedure classification, and postoperative colic. These all showed significant correlation with the occurrence of SSI.
  • Compared to other breeds, Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and American breeds showed higher odds of SSI. Similarly, horses with incision lengths greater than 27 cm, heavily contaminated procedures, and postoperative colic also presented higher SSI rates.
  • It was presumed that heavily contaminated procedures and postoperative colic resulted in more incisional contamination and trauma, leading to heightened occurrence of SSI.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Contrary to the initial clinical impression, age did not show any significant association with SSI.
  • However, it was found that a longer incision length (>27 cm) increased the risk of SSI. As a result, the researchers suggested that surgeons should aim to use the shortest possible incision length that safely allows for needed abdominal exploration and bowel manipulation.

Cite This Article

APA
Darnaud SJ, Southwood LL, Aceto HW, Stefanovski D, Tomassone L, Zarucco L. (2016). Are horse age and incision length associated with surgical site infection following equine colic surgery? Vet J, 217, 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.09.004

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 217
Pages: 3-7

Researcher Affiliations

Darnaud, S J M
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
Southwood, L L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. Electronic address: southwoo@vet.upenn.edu.
Aceto, H W
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
Stefanovski, D
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
Tomassone, L
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
Zarucco, L
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colic / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Logistic Models
  • Perioperative Period
  • Postoperative Period
  • Preoperative Period
  • Risk Factors
  • Surgical Wound / veterinary
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / pathology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Southwood LL, Long A, Perez J, Daniel S, Bittinger K, Aitken M, Redding L. Effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration for colic surgery on complications and resistome. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):390-403.
    doi: 10.1002/evj.70137pubmed: 41369016google scholar: lookup
  2. Cerullo A, Di Nicola MR, Scilimati N, Bertoletti A, Pollicino G, Moroni B, Pepe M, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Passamonti F. Intra- and Post-Operative Bacteriological Surveys of Surgical Site in Horses: A Single-Centre Study. Microorganisms 2025 Apr 17;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13040928pubmed: 40284764google scholar: lookup
  3. Buzon-Cuevas A, Duaso J, Sanchez de Medina A, Sierra JM, Perez-Ecija A, Mendoza FJ. Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Using the LigaSure(™) Device to Remove the Whole Extrahepatic Umbilical Vein: A Case Series Study in Equine and Donkey Foals. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 28;15(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15070981pubmed: 40218374google scholar: lookup
  4. Griessel TS, Muñoz Morán JA, Byaruhanga C, Smit Y. A single-centre retrospective study of surgical site infection following equine colic surgery (2013‒2021). Vet Rec 2025 May 17;196(10):e5227.
    doi: 10.1002/vetr.5227pubmed: 40123113google scholar: lookup
  5. Gehlen H, Klein KS, Merle R, Lübke-Becker A, Stoeckle SD. Does colonization with MRSA, ESBL - producing Enterobacteriaceae, and/or Acinetobacter baumannii - increase the risk for postoperative surgical site infection?. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):729-737.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1073pubmed: 36646070google scholar: lookup
  6. Gandini M, Cerullo A, Franci P, Giusto G. Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 4;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100546pubmed: 36288159google scholar: lookup
  7. Spåre P, Ljungvall I, Ljungvall K, Bergström A. Evaluation of post-operative complications after mastectomy performed without perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in dogs. Acta Vet Scand 2021 Aug 30;63(1):35.
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-021-00600-3pubmed: 34461957google scholar: lookup
  8. Stöckle SD, Kannapin DA, Kauter AML, Lübke-Becker A, Walther B, Merle R, Gehlen H. A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial Comparing a Short-Term Perioperative Prophylaxis Regimen to a Long-Term Standard Protocol in Equine Colic Surgery. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 May 16;10(5).
    doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10050587pubmed: 34065712google scholar: lookup
  9. Crosa AT, Katzman SA, Kelleher ME, Nieto JE, Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE. Incidence of incisional complications after exploratory celiotomy in equids affected with enterolithiasis. Can Vet J 2020 Oct;61(10):1085-1091.
    pubmed: 33012825
  10. Scharner D, Gittel C, Winter K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Vervuert I, Brehm W. Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy. PeerJ 2018;6:e5772.
    doi: 10.7717/peerj.5772pubmed: 30430040google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.