Postoperative sinusitis and pneumonia following exploratory celiotomy for treatment of colic in horses.

The research is about studying the occurrence and associated factors of sinusitis and pneumonia after exploratory celiotomy (a surgical procedure in the abdomen) in horses that are treated for colic.

Research Objectives and Methods

• The objective of this study is to assess the correlation between respiratory complications – sinusitis and pneumonia – and certain pre-operative, peri-operative (during surgery), and post-operative variables in horses after undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic treatment.
• The researchers conducted this study by observing a sample of 318 surgeries, noting cases of sinusitis and pneumonia that occurred post-operation.
• Specific associations that were evaluated included peri-operative reflux, duration of the antimicrobial treatment, and the length of hospital stay.

Research Findings

• The study found that the incidence of sinusitis was approximately 2.5%, which corresponds to 8 out of 318 cases.
• The incidence of pneumonia was slightly higher, with an approximate rate of 3.5%, which equates to 11 out of the 318 cases.
• The researchers determined that these respiratory complications were correlated to instances of peri-operative reflux (backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus or beyond, during surgery), longer periods of antimicrobial treatment, and longer hospital stays.

Significance of the Study

• This research is beneficial as it provides insights into the risks associated with exploratory celiotomy treatment for horses with colic.
• It also identifies specific factors that may lead to the development of respiratory complications such as sinusitis and pneumonia post-surgery. This information can potentially be used to better manage and prevent these complications, thereby improving health outcomes for horses after surgery.