Evaluation of factors associated with postoperative ileus in horses: 31 cases (1990-1992).

The research study investigates the factors related to the occurrence of postoperative ileus (a lack of movement in the intestines after surgery) in horses that underwent surgery for colic between 1990 and 1992. It found that packed cell volume, pulse rate, nature and location of lesion discovered during surgery, and blood glucose level were significant factors influencing the development of postoperative ileus.

Research Methodology and Population

• The research focused on the medical records of horses that were treated surgically for colic within the specified study period, 1990 to 1992.
• The categorization of horses into the postoperative ileus (POI) group was based on a number of factors. These included: high pulse rate, signs of abdominal pain, and the reflux of more than 2 liters of material from the stomach during the postoperative period. The researchers excluded horses with anterior enteritis.
• The reference population consisted of horses that had less than 2 liters of material reflux during the postoperative period and were able to survive for more than three days after the operation.

Research Findings

• From 148 horses, 117 were assigned to the reference population, and 31 (21%) developed POI.
• Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that packed cell volume (PCV), pulse rate, type and location of lesion detected during surgery, and blood glucose concentration were the most important variables associated with development of postoperative ileus.
• The time from recovery from anesthesia to the development of POI varied between 0.5 to 120 hours (median, 13 hours). The duration of POI lasted from 1 to 7 days (median, 1 day).

Research Implications and Conclusions

• Out of the 31 horses with POI, 4 (13%) did not survive. From the entire study population of 148 horses, 10 (7%) died.
• Importantly, 4 out of the 10 total deaths in the short-term postoperative period could be attributed to the onset of POI.
• This study helps in the identification of key factors associated with POI, which could provide critical insights in preoperative and postoperative management of horses facing surgery.