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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1998; 39(12); 764-768;

Postcastration eventration in 18 horses: the prognostic indicators for long-term survival (1985-1995).

Abstract: Castration of horses is considered a common and routine surgical procedure, but the potential for complications is high. By far the most serious of these is eventration. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term survival of horses undergoing surgical treatment of indirect (1) inguinal eventration of the small intestine following castration, and to identify prognostic indicators for survival. The case records of 18 horses undergoing surgical treatment of postcastration eventration (PCE) between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interviews 2 to 13 y postoperatively. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was fitted to determine which clinical features were of significant influence to survival. Clinical features with a significant negative influence on survival were an inguinal surgical approach for correction, an increased length of prolapsed bowel, and performance of bowel resection and anastomosis. Significant postoperative complications developed in 89% of cases; 44% of cases in the "inguinal" surgical approach group developed peritonitis, compared with 10% in the "midline" approach group. Of all horses in this study, 72% were discharged from the hospital; however, only 40% of horses in the inguinal approach group were discharged. The long term survival rate (> 1 y) for all horses in this study was 44%, with a median survival time of 3-1/2 mo.
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Publication Date: 1998-12-23 PubMed ID: 9861501PubMed Central: PMC1540375
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  • Journal Article

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 study evaluated the long-term survival rates and the potential prognostic indicators of horses that underwent surgical treatments due to intestinal eventration following castration. The study revealed that clinical features such as the inguinal surgical approach, increased length of prolapsed bowel, and bowel resection and anastomosis were associated with lower survival rates.

Research Details and Methodology

  • This research was conducted as a historical review of 18 horses that received surgical treatment for postcastration eventration (PCE), a serious complication following horse castration. This review spanned data from 1985 to 1995.
  • Post-operative information was gathered through telephone interviews ranging from 2 to 13 years post-surgery.
  • A statistical model named Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify which clinical factors significantly impacted the horses’ survival rate following surgical treatment for PCE.

Key Findings

  • Negative influences on survival rate included an inguinal surgical approach, a longer length of prolapsed bowel, and bowel resection followed by anastomosis.
  • Postoperative complications occurred in 89% of all cases. These complications were more prominent in cases where the inguinal surgical approach was used. 44% of these cases developed peritonitis, compared to only 10% in the midline approach group.
  • Although 72% of all horses were discharged from the hospital, only 40% of those treated with the inguinal approach were discharged. This further supports the finding that the inguinal approach negatively impacts survival rate.
  • The long-term (>1 year) survival rate for all horses included in the study was 44% with a median survival time of 3.5 months.

Conclusion

  • This study advocated that certain clinical features, such as the choice of surgical approach and length of prolapsed bowel, have a significant impact on the long-term survival rates of horses that undergo surgery due to PCE.
  • The results recommend a reevaluation of the surgical approach choice based on individual clinical features of a horse, to maximize survival rates.

Cite This Article

APA
Thomas HL, Zaruby JF, Smith CL, Livesey MA. (1998). Postcastration eventration in 18 horses: the prognostic indicators for long-term survival (1985-1995). Can Vet J, 39(12), 764-768.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 12
Pages: 764-768

Researcher Affiliations

Thomas, H L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario.
Zaruby, J F
    Smith, C L
      Livesey, M A

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Colic / etiology
        • Colic / veterinary
        • Follow-Up Studies
        • Horse Diseases / classification
        • Horses / surgery
        • Male
        • Orchiectomy / adverse effects
        • Orchiectomy / veterinary
        • Peritonitis / etiology
        • Peritonitis / veterinary
        • Postoperative Complications / classification
        • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
        • Prognosis
        • Proportional Hazards Models
        • Survival Analysis
        • Time Factors

        References

        This article includes 11 references
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        Citations

        This article has been cited 0 times.
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