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Equine veterinary journal2005; 37(4); 360-365; doi: 10.2746/0425164054529481

Factors affecting long-term survival of horses recovering from surgery of the small intestine.

Abstract: Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) has been associated with a particularly poor post operative prognosis for equine colic cases, but the reasons for this are unknown. Objective: To identify variables associated with post operative survival following surgery for small intestinal disease; develop a model describing long-term post operative survival; and identify reasons for the poor prognosis associated with EFE. Methods: Data from 382 horses undergoing surgery were used to identify variables associated with survival. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model for post operative survival was developed and model fit evaluated. Results: The final model included the variables total plasma protein (TP) and packed cell volume (PCV) at admission, duration of surgery and the dichotomous variable relaparotomy (yes/no). Risk of death was positively associated with increasing PCV, but negatively associated with increasing TP (which decreased the probability of death). In a univariable model, EFE cases had a significantly higher death rate than other types of small intestinal disease (hazard ratio = 1.7, P = 0.035). Multivariable modelling indicated that some of the increased risk associated with EFE cases was due to lower TP values and longer duration of surgery. Conclusions: Preoperative TP is associated negatively with the risk of post operative death in horses recovering from small intestinal surgery. Other variables associated with the probability of survival are preoperative PCV, duration of surgery and relaparotomy. The increased post operative death rate of EFE cases can be explained in part by lower TP and longer surgery times of these cases. Conclusions: Total plasma protein may be not simply a measure of hydration status in small intestinal colic cases, but an important determinant of survival. Further investigation of this relationship is warranted. Our model for post operative survival highlights the importance of preoperative TP, PCV and duration of surgery as prognostic indicators. This information should allow a more accurate post operative prognosis following small intestinal surgery.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-21 PubMed ID: 16028629DOI: 10.2746/0425164054529481Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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.

The research investigates the variables contributing to the survival of horses after surgery related to small intestinal diseases. Key variables, including total plasma protein and packed cell volume, as well as surgery factors, like the decision for relaparotomy, were evaluated. It was found that these factors affected the chances of survival, especially in cases concerning Epiploic Foramen Entrapment.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The core objective of the study was to identify variables that are associated with the survival of horses after having surgery for small intestinal diseases.
  • The researchers also wanted to develop a model that could predict long-term post-operative survival. One more primary goal was to pin down the reasons behind the poor prognosis linked to Epiploic Foramen Entrapment (EFE) cases.
  • The study was conducted with data obtained from 382 horses going through surgery. A multi-variable Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to evaluate post-operative survival, and the model’s fitness was appraised.

Key Findings

  • The final model included several health and surgical factors such as total plasma protein (TP) and packed cell volume (PCV) at admission, duration of the surgery, and relaparotomy (a binary yes/no variable).
  • The risk of death for the horses was found to be positively related to increasing PCV, meaning a higher PCV indicated a higher risk of death. Contrastingly, increased TP reduced the chance of death.
  • EFE cases turned out to have a significantly higher death rate than other types of small intestinal diseases, according to a univariable model (hazard ratio = 1.7, P = 0.035).
  • Other multi-variable models suggested that EFE cases exhibited higher risks partly due to low TP values and longer surgery durations.

Conclusions and Implications

  • According to the study, preoperative TP negatively influenced the risk of post-operative death in horses recovering from small intestinal surgeries. Other significant variables impacting survival probability included preoperative PCV, surgery duration, and relaparotomy.
  • The heightened post-operative death rate in EFE cases was partly attributed to lower TP and longer surgeries for these cases.
  • This study posits that the Total plasma protein may not merely be a hydration status indicator but a crucial determinant of survival in small intestinal colic cases.
  • The authors recommend further explorations of this relationship. The model developed in this study for post-operative survival underscores the pivotal roles of preoperative TP, PCV, and surgery duration as prognostic indicators.
  • This new information should allow for a more precise post-operative prognosis following small intestinal surgeries on horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Barnes J, French NR. (2005). Factors affecting long-term survival of horses recovering from surgery of the small intestine. Equine Vet J, 37(4), 360-365. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054529481

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 360-365

Researcher Affiliations

Proudman, C J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
Edwards, G B
    Barnes, J
      French, N R

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Blood Proteins / analysis
        • Colic / mortality
        • Colic / surgery
        • Colic / veterinary
        • Female
        • Hematocrit / mortality
        • Hematocrit / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / mortality
        • Horse Diseases / surgery
        • Horses
        • Intestine, Small / surgery
        • Male
        • Multivariate Analysis
        • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
        • Postoperative Complications / mortality
        • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
        • Prognosis
        • Proportional Hazards Models
        • Reoperation / mortality
        • Reoperation / veterinary
        • Risk Factors
        • Survival Analysis
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 17 times.
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