Cesarean section in 19 mares. Results and postoperative fertility.

The research studies the effects and success rate of caesarean sections performed on 19 mares, evaluating the post-operative survival rates, complications, and subsequent fertility.

Objective and Methodology

• The research aimed to evaluate the results and postoperative fertility following cesarean section in 19 mares. The study involved a review of the case records of these mares, following a caudal ventral midline celiotomy operation.
• The research method included a review and analysis of the mares’ case records, monitoring of postoperative complications, survival rates, and future fertility rates. The subsequent fertility was determined through the successful delivery of foals in subsequent seasons.

Results of the study

• Surgical exposure to the uterus was good, and the mares’ incisions healed by first intention (or primary healing), which refers to the healing of a wound under normal conditions with no complications or infection.
• Of the mares that underwent surgery, 89% (17 mares) survived until hospital discharge, signaling a high post-surgery survival rate.
• There were, however, multiple occurrences of postoperative complications with abdominal pain being the most frequent (13 mares), followed by anemia (10 mares), and retained placenta (6 mares).
• Out of the 19 mares, six foals (32%) were delivered alive. Due to severe deformities, three of the six foals were euthanatized. One foal died on the sixth day and the remaining two survived until discharge.
• Future fertility was also observed in the mares; 16 mares were bred during at least one season post-cesarean section and eight of these (50%) successfully produced at least one foal.
• The collective foaling (birth) rate for these mares, bred a total of 25 seasons, was 36%. Only one mare bred during the same year as the surgery produced a live foal.
• The collective foaling rate for mares bred in the subsequent year after the surgery increased to 50%.

Conclusions drawn from the study

• The research concludes that cesarean sections in mares have a relatively high post-surgery survival rate with successful wound healing.
• However, the procedure is associated with common postoperative complications such as abdominal pain, anemia, and retained placenta.
• Regarding subsequent fertility, the research finds that mares that have undergone cesarean sections can still successfully produce offspring, but at a relatively lower rate than the normal population, and it increases if the mares are bred the following year after the procedure.