Incisional hernias in the horse. Incidence and predisposing factors.

The research article studies the influence of different factors on the development of post-surgical hernias in horses. The researchers found that about 16% of horses developed an incisional hernia within four months of undergoing abdominal surgery (ventral midline celiotomy). Key factors that increased the likelihood of hernia creation were drainage at the incision site, using a specific type of suture for closing the incision, a previous midline celiotomy, significant swelling at the incision, a diminished white blood cell count following surgery, and discomfort or abdominal pain after surgery.

Methodology and Results of the Study

• The research involved a retrospective examination of the medical records of 210 horses that underwent ventral midline celiotomy and survived for at least four months.
• The aim was to identify factors that might contribute to the development of incisional hernias in these horses.
• It was found that the incidence rate of such hernias developing within four months after the surgery was 16%.
• The researchers identified several factors associated with the development of incisional hernias. These key factors included incisional drainage, closure of the linea alba (the fibrous structure running down the midline of the abdomen) using chromic gut suture material, a history of midline celiotomy, pronounced incisional edema (swelling), being a castrated male horse, a decrease in the number of white blood cells after the surgery, and post-operative abdominal pain.

Factors not Significantly Associated with Hernia Occurrence

• Additionally, the research identified several factors that were not significantly related to the likelihood of incisional hernia development.
• These included the particular suture pattern used for closing the linea alba, any concurrent intestinal incision or resection during the surgery, application of postoperative bandages or stents, fever after surgery, low protein levels in the blood, diarrhea, respiratory disease resulting in coughing, and inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis).

Study Observations on Hernia Development

• The study found that hernias in horses generally developed within 12 weeks of surgery, with some cases as early as 2 weeks post-surgery.
• Where more specific information was available for 30 horses, it was observed that 80% of these horses developed only a single hernia along the incision, while 20% developed two or more smaller hernias.