Effect of omentectomy on adhesion formation in horses.

This study investigates the impact of omentectomy, the surgical removal of the omentum, on the frequency of postoperative intraabdominal adhesions in horses. The research found that horses undergoing omentectomy had a significantly lower rate of adhesion formation requiring further surgery compared to those that didn’t receive this treatment. The study also observed that adhesions were more likely to happen after surgery on the small intestine.

Research Methods

• This is a retrospective study based on the review of medical records of 44 horses that had either two ventral median celiotomies (a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity) or a ventral median celiotomy and necropsy (post-mortem examination) more than four days later. Out of these, 19 horses had their omentum removed at the initial surgery.
• Data gathered from records included the location and type of intraabdominal adhesions; surgical procedures; the duration of initial surgery; the time interval between procedures; and age, gender, breed of the horse, and clinical outcome.
• Statistical analysis was carried out using Fisher’s exact test for the association between categorical explanatory and outcome variables. The effect of potential risk factors on adhesion formation rate was calculated using a proportional hazards regression model.

Key Research Findings

• Among 25 horses in the nonomentectomy group, 15 (60%) had postoperative adhesions that necessitated a second surgical procedure, but among the 19 who had omentectomy, only 4 (21%) needed a second procedure due to adhesions.
• The research found a higher adhesion formation rate in horses that did not undergo omentectomy initially, as indicated by an incidence ratio rate of 0.46.
• During initial surgery, it was found that 24 horses had a small intestinal lesion, and 20 had a large intestinal lesion. Post-surgery, adhesions developed in 63% of horses with small intestinal lesions as compared to 20% of horses with a large intestinal lesion.
• According to the results obtained at the second procedure, adhesions were the cause of colic symptoms (abdominal pain) in 61% of horses with small intestinal lesions, while none were observed in those with large intestine lesions.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that omentectomy can potentially reduce the rate of postoperative adhesion formation in horses, especially those undergoing surgeries involving the small intestine. The research findings also suggest that this procedure can be safely performed and should be considered, going forward, as a preventive measure to reduce adhesion formation following abdominal surgeries in horses.