Nutritional and clinicopathological effects of post operative parenteral nutrition following small intestinal resection and anastomosis in the mature horse.

The research article investigates the impact of post-surgery parental nutrition (PN) treatment on horses that have undergone colic surgery, by examining various clinical variables and comparing two groups – one that received PN and another that was starved routinely. The findings report an improved nutritional status in horses treated with PN, while also noting the need for further investigations before recommending PN for a wider application in practice.

Objective of the Research

• The main purpose of the study was to fill a knowledge gap concerning the nutritional needs and status of horses after undergoing surgery for colic. The potential effects of parenteral nutrition (PN, i.e., feeding a person or animal intravenously, bypassing the usual process of eating and digestion) in such scenarios had not been adequately addressed before.
• The researchers hypothesized that post-operative colic cases could experience harmful energy deficits and that the use of PN could prove beneficial in improving the nutritional status of these horses.

Methodology of the Research

• The study involved separating horses into two groups after they had had colic surgery. Group N (comprising 15 horses) were administered PN, while Group C (also comprising 15 horses) were routinely starved.
• Various clinicopathological variables that are generally associated with nutritional status were examined and compared between the two groups in the post-operative period.

Findings of the Research

• The researchers found that Group N (those treated with PN) had significantly lower serum concentrations of triglycerides, total bilirubin, albumin, and urea compared to Group C (those that were starved). Conversely, Group N had higher serum concentrations of glucose and insulin in the post-operative period.
• The control group (Group C), showed significant clinicopathological evidence of starvation. On the other hand, the PN protocol implemented for Group N resulted in observable improvements in their nutritional status.

Conclusions Drawn

• The researchers concluded that, based on the observed clinicopathological indications, PN offers appreciable improvements in the nutritional condition of horses post colic surgery.
• However, before PN can be advocated for widespread use in the general practice, further investigations are required to determine its potential clinical benefits fully and to uncover any potentially harmful side effects associated with its application.