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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Development of a classification system for equine postoperat...
The Veterinary record2023; 192(11); e2782; doi: 10.1002/vetr.2782

Development of a classification system for equine postoperative complications and its application in a cohort of 190 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Abstract: Accurate reporting of postoperative complications is paramount to understanding procedural outcomes, comparing procedures and assuring quality improvement. Standardising definitions of complications in equine surgeries will improve the evidence of their outcomes. To this end, we proposed a classification for postoperative complications and applied it to a cohort of 190 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy. Methods: A classification system for postoperative complications in equine surgery was developed. Medical records of horses that underwent equine emergency laparotomy and recovered from anaesthesia were analysed. Reported complications pre-discharge were classified as per the new classification system, and the cost and days of hospitalisation were correlated with the equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS). Results: Of the 190 horses that underwent emergency laparotomy, 14 (7.4%) did not survive to discharge (class 6 complications), and 47 (24.7%) did not develop complications. The remaining horses were classified as follows: 43 (22.6%) had class 1 complications, 30 (15.8%) had class 2, 42 (22%) had class 3, 11 (5.8%) had class 4; and three (1.5%) had class 5. The proposed classification system and EPOCS correlated with the cost and length of hospitalisation. Conclusions: This was a single-centre study and the definition of scores was arbitrary. Conclusions: Reporting and grading all complications will help surgeons better understand the patients' postoperative course, thereby reducing subjective interpretation.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-12 PubMed ID: 36906909DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2782Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research analyzed postoperative complications in horses, creating a classification system and testing it on 190 equines that underwent emergency surgery. The study found that using this classification system, along with an equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS), correlated with the cost and length of hospitalisation.

Methodology

  • The research commenced by developing a classification system for postoperative complications in equine surgery.
  • The team then analyzed medical records of horses that had undergone emergency laparotomy and recovered from anesthesia.
  • All pre-discharge complications were classified according to the new system.
  • They then correlated the cost of treatment and the days of hospitalisation with the newly introduced equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS).

Results

  • Of the 190 horses that underwent the emergency laparotomy, 14 (7.4%) didn’t survive until discharge (classed as class 6 complications), and 47 (24.7%) had no complications.
  • The remaining horses were distributed as follows based on the complications: 43 (22.6%) were class 1, 30 (15.8%) were class 2, 42 (22%) were class 3, 11 (5.8%) were class 4; and three (1.5%) were class 5.
  • The cost and duration of hospitalisation showed a correlation with the classification system and the EPOCS.

Conclusions

  • The study highlights that the classification system for postoperative complications in equine surgery can be beneficial.
  • However, the authors acknowledge two major limitations: it was a single-centre study and the definition of scores was arbitrary.
  • Despite these limitations, the research underscores the importance of reporting and grading all complications for enhancing surgeons’ understanding of patients’ postoperative courses and reducing subjective interpretation.

Cite This Article

APA
Gandini M, Giusto G. (2023). Development of a classification system for equine postoperative complications and its application in a cohort of 190 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy. Vet Rec, 192(11), e2782. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2782

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 192
Issue: 11
Pages: e2782

Researcher Affiliations

Gandini, Marco
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.
Giusto, Gessica
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Laparotomy / adverse effects
  • Laparotomy / veterinary
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary

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This article includes 17 references
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Citations

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