Complications associated with closure of the linea alba using a combination of interrupted vertical mattress and simple interrupted sutures in equine laparotomies.
Abstract: (1) Evaluate the occurrence and variables associated with incisional morbidities (IMs) after ventral median laparotomy when using interrupted vertical mattress sutures (IVMS) and (2) determine the occurrence of abdominal bandage-associated complications in horses. Methods: Occurrence of IM and bandage-associated complications were determined after single laparotomies (SL group; n=546 horses) and repeat laparotomies (RL group: multiple laparotomies within four weeks; n=30 horses) in horses that survived ≥7 days postoperatively. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to evaluate variables associated with IM. Results: The IM rate was 9.52 per cent in the SL group and 33.33 per cent in the RL group. The actual infection rate was 5.31 per cent in the SL group and 26.67 per cent in the RL group. Overall, long-term clinically relevant wound complications was 1.68 per cent. After multivariate analysis, increased anaesthesia duration was associated with IM and performing an enterotomy and postoperative intravenous lidocaine administration were associated with incisional infection in the SL group; no parameter remained significant in the RL group. Bandage-related complications were recorded in 2.95 per cent of the cases. Conclusions: These results suggest that the use of IVMS for closure of the linea alba is another viable option for closure and that an abdominal bandage does not appear to cause significant complications.
© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Publication Date: 2020-08-29 PubMed ID: 32862134DOI: 10.1136/vr.105855Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper explores the complications associated with closing the linea alba (middle line of the belly) in horses undergoing ventral median laparotomy (surgical incision in the middle of the abdomen) using interrupted vertical mattress sutures (IVMS) and identifies the associated variables in incisional morbidities and bandage-related complications.
Methodology
- The researchers tested two groups; the single laparotomies group (SL group, consisting of 546 horses) and the repeat laparotomies group (RL group, comprising 30 horses that underwent multiple laparotomies within four weeks). The study only included horses that survived for at least seven days postoperatively.
- The team conducted univariate analysis (which studies the range and distribution of a specific variable) and multivariate logistic regression (which evaluates the influence of several variables on one binary outcome) to identify variables related to incisional morbidities (IM).
Findings
- The incidence of IM was 9.52% in the SL group and 33.33% in the RL group. Meanwhile, the confirmed infection rates were 5.31% for the SL group and 26.67% for the RL group.
- The research revealed long-term clinically relevant wound issues in 1.68% of cases. Consequently, it showed bandage-related complications in 2.95% of instances.
- An analysis revealed that longer anaesthesia duration was linked to IM in the SL group. Additionally, performing an enterotomy (a surgical incision into the intestine) and postoperative intravenous lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) administration correlated to incisional infection in this group. However, no significant parameter was found concerning the RL group.
Conclusion
- Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that using IVMS to close the linea alba is a valid option that does not provoke significant complications.
- On a similar note, they suggested that an abdominal bandage does not create notable complications.
Cite This Article
APA
Salciccia A, de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Gougnard A, Detilleux J, Caudron I, Verwilghen D, Serteyn D, Grulke S.
(2020).
Complications associated with closure of the linea alba using a combination of interrupted vertical mattress and simple interrupted sutures in equine laparotomies.
Vet Rec, 187(11), e94.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105855 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium alexandra.salciccia@uliege.be.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Quantitative Genetics Group, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
- Department of Companion Animals and Equids, University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques / adverse effects
- Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques / veterinary
- Animals
- Colic / surgery
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Laparotomy / adverse effects
- Laparotomy / veterinary
- Male
- Postoperative Complications / etiology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Suture Techniques / adverse effects
- Suture Techniques / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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.
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