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Equine veterinary journal2014; 47(6); 650-654; doi: 10.1111/evj.12358

Duration of disease influences survival to discharge of Thoroughbred mares with surgically treated large colon volvulus.

Abstract: Large colon volvulus results in strangulating obstruction requiring surgical treatment. Duration of this disease prior to surgical treatment is likely to influence survival directly. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of duration of large colon volvulus on patient survival to discharge. Relationships between other factors and survival following large colon volvulus were also examined. Methods: Retrospective case analysis. Methods: Medical records of Thoroughbred mares aged ≥2 years undergoing surgical treatment for large colon volvulus between 1 March 1986 and 28 February 2011 were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify influence of duration and other factors on survival to discharge. Results: Within the study period, 1039 surgeries were performed to correct large colon volvulus in 896 Thoroughbred mares. Median duration of colic signs prior to admission was 2 h (interquartile range [IQR] 1-4 h). Median time from admission to anaesthetic induction was 25 min (IQR 15-45 min). Median surgical time was 70 min (IQR 55-85 min). Primary surgical treatment was simple correction of the large colon volvulus followed by replacement of the colon. The overall survival to discharge was 88%. The final model identified risk factors significantly associated with survival and included colic duration prior to admission, packed cell volume at admission, surgery length, duration of hypotension while under anaesthesia, heart rate 48 h post operatively, post operative manure consistency and days hospitalised. Conclusions: Duration of colic prior to admission was statistically associated with patient survival to discharge. Other factors significantly associated with survival in mares with large colon volvulus were related to disease severity and degree of colonic compromise. Mares with large colon volvulus have a good prognosis for recovery with early referral and prompt surgical treatment.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-14 PubMed ID: 25257041DOI: 10.1111/evj.12358Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This study researched the impact of disease duration on survival rates in Thoroughbred mares with large colon volvulus treated surgically. It found that early intervention and treatment significantly improved the horses’ chances of survival.

Research Details

  • The study was a retrospective case analysis, where the researchers reviewed medical records from Thoroughbred mares, aged 2 years or older, who had undergone surgical treatment for large colon volvulus between March 1986 and February 2011.
  • Large colon volvulus is a life-threatening condition in horses that results in a strangulating obstruction requiring immediate surgical intervention.
  • The aim of the research was twofold: to investigate how the disease duration before surgical intervention impacts survival after treatment and to examine relationships between other factors and survival post-surgery.

Research Results

  • Within the study period, 1039 surgeries were performed on 896 Thoroughbred mares.
  • The median time from the start of colic symptoms (a common sign of large colon volvulus) to admission was 2 hours, and from admission to anesthetic induction was 25 minutes.
  • The median surgical time was 70 minutes, with simple correction of the large colon volvulus and replacement of the colon being the primary surgical treatments.
  • The overall survival rate to discharge was 88%.

Key Findings

  • The study found several risk factors significantly associated with survival. These include the duration of colic symptoms before admission, packed cell volume at admission, length of surgery, duration of hypotension under anesthesia, heart rate 48 hours post-operatively, post-operative manure consistency, and length of hospital stay.
  • The duration of colic symptoms before admission was statistically associated with patient survival to discharge; the earlier the intervention, the higher the survival rate. The same was found for other factors that signified disease severity and the degree of colon compromise.
  • The study concludes that horses suffering from large colon volvulus have a good prognosis for recovery when referred early and promptly treated surgically.

Cite This Article

APA
Hackett ES, Embertson RM, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, Ruggles AJ. (2014). Duration of disease influences survival to discharge of Thoroughbred mares with surgically treated large colon volvulus. Equine Vet J, 47(6), 650-654. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12358

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 6
Pages: 650-654

Researcher Affiliations

Hackett, E S
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
Embertson, R M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Hopper, S A
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Woodie, J B
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Ruggles, A J
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colonic Diseases / surgery
  • Colonic Diseases / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Intestinal Volvulus / surgery
  • Intestinal Volvulus / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. Cerullo A, Di Nicola MR, Scilimati N, Bertoletti A, Pollicino G, Moroni B, Pepe M, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Passamonti F. Intra- and Post-Operative Bacteriological Surveys of Surgical Site in Horses: A Single-Centre Study. Microorganisms 2025 Apr 17;13(4).
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    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13361pubmed: 31916608google scholar: lookup
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