Occurrence of Incisional Complications After Closure of Equine Celiotomies With USP 7 Polydioxanone.
Abstract: To report the occurrence of, and risk factors associated with, incisional complications of equine ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 73; 75 celiotomies). Methods: Medical records (2000-2010) were retrieved and reviewed for horses that had a ventral celiotomy closed with 7PD and survived ≥14 days. Follow-up (>1 year) was obtained from the medical record, owner, or referring veterinarian. Independent variables were selected based on risk factors identified in previous studies, perceived clinical relevance, and if there were adequate data recorded in the medical record. Statistical analysis, including multivariable logistic regression with a forward-building model process, was performed to evaluate variables associated with incisional complications. Results: One or more incisional complication(s) occurred in 19 celiotomies (25.3%) during hospitalization or after discharge including: drainage (25.3%), infection (12.0%), and partial dehiscence (5.3%). Two of 63 horses (3.2%) available for follow-up developed an incisional hernia. Variables associated with incisional complications after multivariate analysis included: number of days hospitalized, surgery time, postoperative colic, and postoperative fever. Conclusions: Overall occurrence of incisional herniation after closure of ventral celiotomies with 7PD was low.
© Copyright 2014 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2014-09-17 PubMed ID: 25230697DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2014.12275.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the incidence and risk factors for surgical complications in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD). The study involved retrospective analysis of 73 horses that underwent 75 such surgeries between 2000 and 2010 and were available for at least 1-year of follow-up.
Methodology
- Medical records of horses that underwent a ventral celiotomy closed with 7PD and survived for at least 14 days were reviewed.
- Long term follow-up (over one year) was obtained from medical records, horse owners, or referring veterinarians.
- Independent variables were chosen based on known risk factors from previous studies and the perceived clinical relevance. Consideration was also given to how well these factors were recorded in the medical records.
- A statistical analysis was conducted, using multivariable logistic regression with a forward-building model process, to evaluate which variables were associated with surgical complications.
Results
- Incisional complications occurred in 19 of the 75 surgeries (25.3%) either during hospital stay or post-discharge. These complications included: drainage (25.3%), infection (12.0%), and partial skin wound dehiscence (5.3%).
- Of the 63 horses available for long-term follow-up, two developed an incisional hernia (3.2% incidence).
- The study also found that the variables significantly associated with an increased risk of surgical complications were: the duration of hospital stay, surgery time, postoperative colic (abdominal pain), and postoperative fever.
Conclusions
- The incidence of incisional herniation following ventral celiotomies closed with 7PD was found to be low.
- Increased duration of hospitalization, longer surgical times, and occurrences of postoperative colic and fever were found to be associated with a higher risk of surgical complications.
Cite This Article
APA
Anderson SL, Devick I, Bracamonte JL, Hendrick S, Barber SM, Carmalt JL, Wilson DG.
(2014).
Occurrence of Incisional Complications After Closure of Equine Celiotomies With USP 7 Polydioxanone.
Vet Surg, 44(4), 521-526.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2014.12275.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cecal Diseases / surgery
- Cecal Diseases / veterinary
- Colic / surgery
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Laparotomy / veterinary
- Male
- Polydioxanone
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Surgical Wound Dehiscence / veterinary
- Sutures / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Southwood LL, Long A, Perez J, Daniel S, Bittinger K, Aitken M, Redding L. Effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration for colic surgery on complications and resistome. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):390-403.
- Cerullo A, Di Nicola MR, Scilimati N, Bertoletti A, Pollicino G, Moroni B, Pepe M, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Passamonti F. Intra- and Post-Operative Bacteriological Surveys of Surgical Site in Horses: A Single-Centre Study. Microorganisms 2025 Apr 17;13(4).
- Griessel TS, Muñoz Morán JA, Byaruhanga C, Smit Y. A single-centre retrospective study of surgical site infection following equine colic surgery (2013‒2021). Vet Rec 2025 May 17;196(10):e5227.
- Sjöberg I, Law E, Södersten F, Höglund OV, Wattle O. A preliminary investigation of the subcutaneous tissue reaction to a 3D printed polydioxanone device in horses. Acta Vet Scand 2023 Nov 20;65(1):48.
- Gehlen H, Klein KS, Merle R, Lübke-Becker A, Stoeckle SD. Does colonization with MRSA, ESBL - producing Enterobacteriaceae, and/or Acinetobacter baumannii - increase the risk for postoperative surgical site infection?. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):729-737.
- Gandini M, Cerullo A, Franci P, Giusto G. Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 4;9(10).
- Stöckle SD, Kannapin DA, Kauter AML, Lübke-Becker A, Walther B, Merle R, Gehlen H. A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial Comparing a Short-Term Perioperative Prophylaxis Regimen to a Long-Term Standard Protocol in Equine Colic Surgery. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 May 16;10(5).
- Scharner D, Gittel C, Winter K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Vervuert I, Brehm W. Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy. PeerJ 2018;6:e5772.
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