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Equine veterinary journal2002; 34(5); 432-437; doi: 10.2746/042516402776117845

Long-term survival of equine surgical colic cases. Part 1: patterns of mortality and morbidity.

Abstract: Postoperative complications and mortality can occur many weeks or months after colic surgery. We are interested in the long-term outcome of these cases. This study documents patterns of mortality and morbidity among 341 horses that recovered from colic surgery March 1998-August 2000. The progress of each horse was rigorously followed by periodic telephone and postal questionnaires. Event time data were recorded for each animal and a total of 321 horse years of survival, together with death from all causes, colic-related death and various postoperative complications. Postoperative survival (of all horses excluding grass sickness cases) was triphasic over the first 600 days and there was marked mortality in the first 10 days postoperatively. The probability of survival postoperatively decreased to 0.87 by 10 days, 0.82 by 100 days and declined slowly to 0.75 at 600 days. Horses suffering from epiploic foramen entrapment had a significantly reduced probability of postoperative survival (RR = 2.1, P = 0.033). The causes of death for 104 horses that died postoperatively and the prevalence of postoperative complications are recorded for the study population. Postoperative colic was the most prevalent complication with 100 horses (29%) suffering one or more episodes. However, only 16 horses (4.6%) suffered 3 or more episodes. The incidence of postoperative colic was 0.55 episodes/horse year at risk. This study provides data that will inform the prognosis for postoperative colic cases and identifies epiploic foramen entrapment as carrying a worse prognosis for survival than other strangulating lesions.
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Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12358043DOI: 10.2746/042516402776117845Google 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 paper delves into the long-term outcomes of horses that have recovered from colic surgery, noting patterns of mortality, morbidity and various complications. Particularly, it shows that horses suffering from a condition known as epiploic foramen entrapment have a greater risk of postoperative mortality.

Study Design and Data Collection

  • The study followed the progress of 341 horses that recovered from colic surgery between March 1998 and August 2000. This involved observing the horses over a long duration and using data obtained from telephone and postal questionnaires.
  • The researchers collected event time data for each horse and documented a total of 321 horse years of survival, along with data on deaths from all causes, colic-related deaths and different postoperative complications encountered by the animals.

Postoperative Survival Rates and Trends Observed

  • The study found that the survival rate in the postoperative phase was notably triphasic over the first 600 days, and there was a marked rate of mortality within the first 10 days following surgery.
  • In terms of probabilities, the chance of a horse surviving after the surgery dropped to 0.87 by 10 days, 0.82 by 100 days and then gradually declined to 0.75 at 600 days.
  • Horses diagnosed with epiploic foramen entrapment were found to have a substantially lower likelihood of postoperative survival. This finding was statistically significant, with a relative risk (RR) of 2.1 and P value of 0.033.

Causes of Death and Postoperative Complications

  • The researchers recorded the causes of postoperative deaths in 104 horses and the frequency of postoperative complications in the study population.
  • The most common complication was postoperative colic, seen in 100 horses (29%) experiencing one or more episodes. However, only a smaller fraction, 16 horses (4.6%), suffered three or more episodes.
  • The incidence of postoperative colic was found to be 0.55 episodes/horse year at risk.

Implications of the Study

  • The collected data provide valuable insights into the prognostic factors for equines undergoing colic surgery. It helps in identifying horses with epiploic foramen entrapment as having a higher postoperative mortality risk compared to those with other strangulating lesions.
  • This understanding can guide effective medical interventions and management strategies to improve the long-term survival of horses recovering from colic surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Proudman CJ, Smith JE, Edwards GB, French NP. (2002). Long-term survival of equine surgical colic cases. Part 1: patterns of mortality and morbidity. Equine Vet J, 34(5), 432-437. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776117845

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 5
Pages: 432-437

Researcher Affiliations

Proudman, C J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK.
Smith, J E
    Edwards, G B
      French, N P

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cause of Death
        • Cohort Studies
        • Colic / mortality
        • Colic / surgery
        • Colic / veterinary
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / mortality
        • Horse Diseases / surgery
        • Horses
        • Longitudinal Studies
        • Male
        • Morbidity
        • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
        • Postoperative Complications / mortality
        • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
        • Prevalence
        • Prognosis
        • Recurrence
        • Surveys and Questionnaires
        • Survival Analysis
        • Telephone
        • Time Factors
        • United Kingdom / epidemiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 21 times.
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