Long-term outcome after colic surgery: retrospective study of 106 horses in the USA (2014-2021).
Abstract: To determine long-term survival rate, defined as survival to 1 year after discharge from the hospital, and rate of return to prior athletic, breeding, or other function in horses undergoing colic surgery at the first presentation at one referral hospital in the Pacific northwest region of the United States. Unassigned: Records were reviewed for all horses that underwent colic surgery between October 2014 and October 2021. Owners of horses that survived to discharge were contacted to obtain follow-up information via internet-based questionnaire or telephone interview. The percentage of horses that survived to 1 year after discharge, rates of return to function, and complications occurring after hospital discharge were determined. The possible association of patient signalment, lesion type, and surgical procedures with long-term survival was examined with Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Overall satisfaction was indicated on a scale of 1 (unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). Unassigned: Of 185 horses that underwent surgical intervention for colic and met the inclusion criteria, 134 horses recovered from anesthesia, with 106 of these recovered horses (79.1%) surviving to discharge. Of the 71 horses for which follow-up information was obtained, 61 horses survived to 1 year after discharge (long-term survival rate of 85.9%). There were no demographic, lesion type, or surgical procedure variables significantly associated with long-term survival. Prior to surgery, 59/71 horses (83.1%) were engaged in some type of athletic activity. After surgery, 44/61 horses (72.1%) were reported to be athletically active. Only one horse was reported to be retired from athletic activity as a direct result of a complication from surgery. Overall satisfaction with the decision to proceed with colic surgery was rated by all respondents as 4 or 5. Unassigned: The long-term survival for this sample of horses was similar to previously published reports of long-term survival after colic surgery. Horses that survived to hospital discharge were highly likely to remain alive and be athletically active 1 year later. There were no factors related to the signalment of the horse, the specific cause of colic, or the surgical procedures performed that were significantly associated with likelihood of survival.
Copyright © 2023 Matthews, Sanz and Sellon.
Publication Date: 2023-10-04 PubMed ID: 37859945PubMed Central: PMC10582563DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1235198Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study assesses the long-term survival rate and ability to return to their previous functions for horses undergoing colic surgery at a referral hospital in the Pacific northwest region of the United States. The results indicate a high long-term survival rate and a good rate of return to former functions, with no significant associations found between survival rate and factors such as patient characteristics, lesions, or surgical procedures.
Study Overview and Methods
- The study looks at the cases of horses who had undergone colic surgery at a referral hospital in the Pacific northwest region of the US between October 2014 and October 2021.
- Researchers reviewed records for all the horses that had undergone colic surgery in the specified period. They further contacted the owners of those horses that had survived to discharge for follow-up information via internet-based questionnaire or telephone interview.
- They analyzed the survival rates up to one-year after discharge, rates of return to regular functionality (athletic, breeding, etc.), and any post-hospital discharge complications.
- They also examined if there were any significant associations between long-term survival and factors like patient demographics, type of lesion, and surgical procedures. This involved statistical tests like Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.
- Finally, they gauged overall satisfaction with the decision to proceed with colic surgery on a scale of 1 (unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).
Study Findings
- Out of 185 horses that met the study criteria and underwent surgery for colic, 134 recovered from anesthesia. 106 of those 134 (or 79.1%) survived till hospital discharge.
- Follow-up information was obtained for 71 horses, out of which 61 (or 85.9%) survived up to one year after discharge. This was termed the long-term survival rate.
- Prior to surgery, 59 out of the 71 horses were engaged in some athletic activity. Post-surgery, 44 out of the 61 horses that had survived a year after discharge were still athletically active.
- There were no significant associations found between long-term survival and factors like patient demographics, lesion type, or the surgical procedures conducted.
- An overwhelming majority of respondents rated their satisfaction with the decision to proceed with colic surgery as 4 or 5.
Conclusions
- The long-term survival rates were found to be similar to previously published reports regarding long-term survival following colic surgery.
- There was a high probability for horses that survived till hospital discharge to remain alive and continue being athletically active for at least one year afterward.
- There were no significant findings to suggest that the likelihood of survival was associated with the horse’s specific details, the specific cause of colic, or the surgical procedures performed.
Cite This Article
APA
Matthews LB, Sanz M, Sellon DC.
(2023).
Long-term outcome after colic surgery: retrospective study of 106 horses in the USA (2014-2021).
Front Vet Sci, 10, 1235198.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1235198 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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