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Veterinary surgery : VS2024; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14107

Multicenter study investigating long-term survival after synovial lavage of contaminated and septic synovial structures in horses presented to 10 UK referral hospitals.

Abstract: To report the long-term survival of adult horses that were subjected to synovial lavage for treatment of contaminated and septic synovial structures. Methods: Multicenter, prospective observational trial. Methods: Horses (n = 240) presented for synovial sepsis at 10 UK referral centers. Methods: Data for horses presented for treatment of synovial sepsis were collected over a 15 month recruitment period. Owners were contacted a minimum of 365 days after surgery using a structured client interview to assess long term survival. Descriptive statistics, and univariable and Cox proportional hazards models for postoperative survival time were developed. Results: Survival to discharge was 228/240 (95%) and overall long-term survival was 89.4% (185/207). Unknown cause of injury (p = .017), increasing duration of surgery (p = .003), increasing weight (p = .008), forelimb injuries (p = .027), and type of synovial structure (p = .008) were found to be associated with death using Cox proportional hazards models. Conclusions: This study provides information on risk factors associated with survival and death after treatment for synovial sepsis at referral hospitals in the UK. Survival to discharge and long-term survival was excellent. Heavier horses, injuries affecting the forelimbs, tendon sheaths and bursae were associated with poorer long term outcomes. Longer duration of surgery was also found to be associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusions: These findings help to provide prognostic information for owners and veterinarians treating horses with synovial sepsis.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-11 PubMed ID: 38863154DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14107Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article conducts a multicenter study to reveal the long-term survival rates of adult horses treated with synovial lavage for infections in their synovial structures. Factors like the cause of injury, surgery duration, the horse’s weight, type of synovial structure, and location of injury played a significant role in the horse’s survival.

Study Methodology

  • The study involves a prospective observational trial conducted at 10 UK referral centers.
  • Over a span of 15 months, a total of 240 horses presented for synovial sepsis treatment were enrolled in the investigation.
  • A structured client interview was carried out with the owners at a minimum of 365 days after the surgery to assess the long-term survival.
  • The collected data were explored using descriptive statistics, univariable, and Cox proportional hazards models to determine factors influencing postoperative survival time.

Key Findings

  • Out of 240 horses treated, 228 (95%) survived until the discharge, and an overall long-term survival rate accounted for 89.4% (185 out of 207).
  • Several risk factors connected with death after synovial sepsis treatment were identified: unknown cause of injury, increasing duration of surgery, forelimb injuries, increasing horse’s weight, type of synovial structure.
  • These risk factors were determined using a Cox proportional hazards model, highlighting specific clinical features that critically impact the horse’s survival post-treatment.

Study Significance

  • This research offers valuable insights into long-term survival rates and prognosis for horses with synovial sepsis subjected to synovial lavage.
  • Findings reveal excellent survival rates at discharge and long-term, yet severity connected to heavier horses, injuries affecting the forelimbs, involving tendon sheaths and bursae, and longer surgeries, hint at poorer outcomes.
  • The findings aid in enhancing prognostic information available to owners and veterinarians treating horses with synovial sepsis and could inform better-targeted treatments.

Cite This Article

APA
de Souza TC, Burford J, Busschers E, Freeman S, Suthers JM. (2024). Multicenter study investigating long-term survival after synovial lavage of contaminated and septic synovial structures in horses presented to 10 UK referral hospitals. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14107

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

de Souza, Therese C
  • University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
  • B&W Equine Hospital, Gloucestershire, UK.
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Kent, UK.
Burford, John
  • University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Busschers, Evita
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Kent, UK.
Freeman, Sarah
  • University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Suthers, Joanna M
  • B&W Equine Hospital, Gloucestershire, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Beggan CP, Panizzi L, Oliver LJ. Efficacy of needle and endoscopic lavage on the recuperation of microspheres from the adult equine metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint and digital flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1157-1166.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14298pubmed: 40556484google scholar: lookup
  2. Albanese V, Straticò P, Fischer H, Petrizzi L. Equine Distal Limb Wounds: Economic Impact and Short-Term Prognosis of Non-Synovial Versus Synovial Lesions in Southern Germany. Vet Sci 2025 Mar 1;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12030205pubmed: 40266953google scholar: lookup
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