Complications and Comorbidities in Foals Undergoing Surgical Repair for Uroperitoneum.
Abstract: Surgical repair is frequently effective at resolving uroperitoneum in foals, though complications occur. Despite their occurrence, management strategies used to address these complications, and their impact on survival are not clearly defined. To better describe the complications following surgical correction of uroperitoneum and to document treatment strategies and outcomes after intervention, a multi-center retrospective case series was performed. Medical record data of foals undergoing surgical treatment for uroperitoneum were retrieved from three surgical centers, and cases identified with complications or comorbidities were reviewed. Long-term follow-up was obtained through owner contact. Of 45 foals with uroperitoneum, 13 (29%) had complications or comorbidities following surgical repair. Uroperitoneum recurred in 9 (20%) foals 12-264 hours after surgery. Foals with recurrence were managed medically with an indwelling urinary catheter, repeat celiotomy, or were euthanized. Other comorbidities following repair included sepsis and persistent azotemia. One horse developed cystic calculi 14 months later. Urinary catheters maintained for 3-7 days in combination with medical and surgical interventions successfully resolved uroperitoneum. The decision to debride bladder tear edges or the selection of suture material or pattern did not impact recurrence or survival. Six (67%) foals with recurrent uroperitoneum survived to hospital discharge; 86% survived if treatment was attempted. Four (80%) of cases treated for recurrent uroperitoneum were alive without active medical problems >2 years later. Despite recurrence, medical or surgical treatment of recurrent uroperitoneum enables short-term survival, and maintenance of long-term health. Indwelling urinary catheters should be considered in select cases with recurrent uroperitoneum.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-12-24 PubMed ID: 34958882DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103852Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the complications and comorbidities experienced by foals after surgically repairing a condition called uroperitoneum, which is the presence of urine in the abdominal cavity. The study identifies the common complications, treatment strategies, and their impact on the survival of foals.
Research Methodology
- This study is a multi-center retrospective case series, which means it collected and analyzed data from past cases to draw conclusions.
- The medical records of foals that underwent surgical treatment for uroperitoneum at three surgical centers were used in this study.
- All cases exhibiting complications or comorbidities were included in the study for further investigation.
- Follow-up data was obtained through direct contact with the owners of the foals.
Research Findings
- Out of 45 foals with uroperitoneum, 13 (about 29%) experienced complications or comorbidities after surgical repair.
- Uroperitoneum recurred in 20% of the foals between 12 to 264 hours after the surgery.
- Various complications noted were sepsis, persistent azotemia, and one case of cystic calculi development 14 months post-procedure.
- Foals with recurrence were managed using an indwelling urinary catheter, repeating the surgery, or in some cases, they were euthanized.
Treatment Outcomes
- The research found that the use of urinary catheters for 3-7 days along with additional medical and surgical treatments successfully resolved the recurrence of uroperitoneum.
- According to the study, the choice of debridement of bladder tear edges or the selection of suture material or pattern did not significantly impact recurrence or survival rates.
- About 67% of foals with recurrent uroperitoneum survived to hospital discharge, and if treatment was attempted, the survival rate increased to 86%.
- Additionally, 80% of the cases treated for recurrent uroperitoneum were alive without active medical problems more than two years later, indicating long-term effectiveness of the treatments.
Conclusion
- Despite the recurrence risk, the treatment of uroperitoneum using medical and/or surgical techniques enables both short and long-term survival of foals.
- The use of indwelling urinary catheters in select recurring cases has been suggested as a beneficial approach by the study.
Cite This Article
APA
Ford MG, Nelson BB, Ford TS, Souza CRS, Easley JT, Hackett ES.
(2021).
Complications and Comorbidities in Foals Undergoing Surgical Repair for Uroperitoneum.
J Equine Vet Sci, 110, 103852.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103852 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Ford Veterinary Surgery Center, Clovis, CA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Electronic address: Brad.Nelson@colostate.edu.
- Ford Veterinary Surgery Center, Clovis, CA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Euthanasia, Animal
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Peritoneal Diseases / etiology
- Peritoneal Diseases / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Urinary Bladder
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Saitua A, Sanchez de Medina A, Bulnes F, Buzon A, Miraz R, Argüelles D, Diez de Castro E. Urogenital surgery in foals. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1520491.
- Karam B, Arndt S, Magdesian KG, Cullen T, Dechant JE. Congenital urachal and urinary bladder defects leading to uroperitoneum in a neonatal quarter horse colt. Can Vet J 2024 Nov;65(11):1119-1123.
- Bernick A, Demattio LS, Wehrend A. Ultrasound findings in 34 newborn foals with uroperitoneum. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1545.
- Montano C, Forni G, Lanci A, Mariella J, Prete CD, de Chiara M, Pasolini MP, Rinnovati R. Management of uroperitoneum through combination of conservative and surgical treatments in two colts. Open Vet J 2023 Nov;13(11):1471-1477.
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