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Veterinary sciences2022; 9(10); 546; doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100546

Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report.

Abstract: Reducing postoperative incisional infection is the main reason to administer postoperative antimicrobials (AMD) after emergency laparotomy in horses, while reducing inflammation and providing analgesia are the reasons to administer anti-inflammatory drugs (AID). The basis for postoperative AMD and AID administration is empirical and only recently has been questioned. Empirical approaches can be changed, and these changes, along with the description of their outcomes, can help produce appropriate stewardship. The aim of this study is to report the changes in AMD and AID regimens in horses undergoing emergency laparotomy at a referral teaching hospital between 2017 and 2021. Signalment, pathology, surgery, prophylactic AMD and AID administration were obtained from the medical records. Difference in AMD and AID regimens throughout the study period were also reported. In 234 postoperative records considered, ninety-two horses received prophylactic AMD, while 142 received pre-operative antimicrobials only. There was a progressive change in regimens throughout the years, increasing the number of AID molecules used. AMD and AID administration in horses has changed in our practice over the years to modulate therapies according to the postoperative complications that eventually arise. In this study, horses not receiving postoperative routine AMD treatment did not show an increased incidence of complications.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-04 PubMed ID: 36288159PubMed Central: PMC9607452DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100546Google 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.

The study examines the changes in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug regimens in horses after colic surgery from 2017 to 2021, underscoring that modifications in these regimens are based on observable outcomes which in turn help develop better treatment. Recent practices have changed by adjusting therapies according to postoperative complications that occur. The study found no increased incidence of complications in horses that didn’t receive routine antimicrobial drugs post surgery.

Objective of the Study

The research aimed at:

  • Investigating the changes over time in the administration of postoperative antimicrobial (AMD) and anti-inflammatory drugs (AID) in horses that have undergone emergency laparotomy at a teaching hospital from 2017 to 2021.
  • Examining the effects of these changes on postoperative complications in the horses.

Methodology

The approach involved:

  • Reviewing the medical records of 234 postoperative records to analyze the administration of prophylactic AMD and AID as well as differences in these regimens throughout the study period.
  • Recording the ‘signalment’ (age, breed, gender), pathology, surgery type, and prophylactic AMD and AID administration for each horse.

Findings

Results unveiled:

  • Ninety-two out of the 234 horses received prophylactic postoperative AMD while 142 received pre-operative antimicrobials only.
  • There has been a gradual change in AMD and AID regimens over the course of the study period, with a notable increase in the number of AID molecules used.
  • Horses that did not receive routine postoperative AMD treatment did not display an increased incidence of complications.

Conclusion

Conclusions drawn from the study were:

  • The administration of AMD and AID in horses post colic surgery has evolved in the pre-identified practice over the years, a pivot largely dictated by the postoperative complications that tend to arise.
  • The absence of routine postoperative AMD treatment does not necessarily contribute to an increased incidence of complications, suggesting that modifications in drug regimens are grounded in observable outcomes and can effectively guide optimal treatments for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Gandini M, Cerullo A, Franci P, Giusto G. (2022). Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report. Vet Sci, 9(10), 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100546

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
PII: 546

Researcher Affiliations

Gandini, Marco
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Cerullo, Anna
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Franci, Paolo
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Giusto, Gessica
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L. Current Antimicrobial Use in Horses Undergoing Exploratory Celiotomy: A Survey of Board-Certified Equine Specialists. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 22;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13091433pubmed: 37174470google scholar: lookup
  2. Crabtree NE, Capper AM, McKinnon LH, Epstein KL. Perioperative factors and outcomes associated with antimicrobial therapy duration in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy. Can Vet J 2025 Jun;66(6):653-662.
    pubmed: 40510283
  3. Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L. The Effects of Antimicrobial Protocols and Other Perioperative Factors on Postoperative Complications in Horses Undergoing Celiotomy: A Retrospective Analysis, 2008-2021. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 19;13(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13223573pubmed: 38003189google scholar: lookup
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