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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(11); 1375; doi: 10.3390/ani12111375

Predictive Models for Equine Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy in Spain: Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Operative-Mortality-Associated Factors.

Abstract: The extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics of an equine population may influence the onset of gastrointestinal lesions and affect the survival rate of patients. The equine population in Spain has been the focus of a small number of studies, none of which have involved more than one surgical center. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to analyze the survival rate, identify the variables that influenced death, and generate multivariate models using clinical variables. Data were collected from the clinical records of two surgical referral centers in the same region, and a total of 566 horses met the inclusion criteria. The statistical analysis was divided into three parts: The first and second included logistic analysis, in order to identify the variables most closely associated with survival. The third part assessed all previous variables in terms of survival and hospitalization time, using a COX survival analysis. The main risk factors associated with intra-operative mortality were related to seasonality (winter and summer), patient age (older than 9 years), distance from the hospital, the presence of a strangulating lesion, and the bowel segment affected (small intestine). Furthermore, the main factors associated with mortality during hospitalization were the characteristics of the lesions (strangulating) and the differences between surgical centers. The models generated in this study have good predictive value and use only reliable and easily obtainable variables. The most reliable characteristics are those related to the type of colic and the location of the lesion.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-27 PubMed ID: 35681838PubMed Central: PMC9179522DOI: 10.3390/ani12111375Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article investigates factors that influence survival rates in horses undergoing emergency exploratory surgery in Spain. The study highlights that the main risk factors associated with intra-operative mortality are seasonal, age of the horse, distance to the hospital, presence of a strangulating lesion and the affected bowel segment.

Study Overview

  • The study is retrospective in nature and involves a cohort design. The researchers examined past clinical records from two different surgical referral centers in the same region.
  • The aim of the study was to analyze survival rate, identify variables that influenced death and develop multivariate models using clinical variables.
  • The study’s sample comprised 566 horses, all of which met the inclusion criteria set by the researchers.

Methodology

  • The research involved dividing the statistical analysis into three parts. The first and second parts utilized logistic analysis with the purpose of identifying the variables most associated with survival.
  • The third part evaluated all the previous variables regarding survival and hospitalization time, utilizing a COX survival analysis.

Key Findings

  • The research identified several risk factors linked with intra-operative mortality, including: seasonality (specifically winter and summer), patient age (particularly horses older than 9 years old), distance from the hospital, the presence of a strangulating lesion, and the bowel segment affected (notably the small intestine).
  • The main factors associated with mortality during hospitalization were the lesion characteristics (specifically strangulating lesions) and the differences between surgical centers.
  • The models developed in this study, based on these identified factors, showed good predictive value and employed only reliable and easily obtainable variables. Notably, the most reliable characteristics related to the type of colic and the location of the lesion.

Cite This Article

APA
Iglesias-García M, Rodríguez Hurtado I, Ortiz-Díez G, De la Calle Del Barrio J, Fernández Pérez C, Gómez Lucas R. (2022). Predictive Models for Equine Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy in Spain: Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Operative-Mortality-Associated Factors. Animals (Basel), 12(11), 1375. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12111375

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 11
PII: 1375

Researcher Affiliations

Iglesias-García, Manuel
  • Department of Equine Surgery, University of Extremadura, 10004 Caceres, Spain.
Rodríguez Hurtado, Isabel
  • Large Animal Department, Alfonso X el Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain.
Ortiz-Díez, Gustavo
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
De la Calle Del Barrio, Jorge
  • Large Animal Department, Alfonso X el Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain.
Fernández Pérez, Cristina
  • Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Área de Santiago y Barbanza, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Gómez Lucas, Raquel
  • Large Animal Department, Alfonso X el Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain.

Grant Funding

  • GR21085 / Junta de Extremadura

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The research presented in this article was part of the first author’s PhD studies.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L. Current Antimicrobial Use in Horses Undergoing Exploratory Celiotomy: A Survey of Board-Certified Equine Specialists. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 22;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13091433pubmed: 37174470google scholar: lookup
  2. Spadari A, Gialletti R, Gandini M, Valle E, Cerullo A, Cavallini D, Bertoletti A, Rinnovati R, Forni G, Scilimati N, Giusto G. Short-Term Survival and Postoperative Complications Rates in Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery: A Multicentre Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 20;13(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13061107pubmed: 36978647google scholar: lookup
  3. Nocera I, Cingottini D, Di Franco C, Sala G, Bindi F, Spadari A, Rinnovati R, Vitale V, Jose-Cunilleras E, Sgorbini M. In-Depth Analysis of the Prognostic Factors Associated with Short-Term Outcome in Equine Colic Patients: Multicentric Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2026 Feb 5;16(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16030496pubmed: 41681477google scholar: lookup
  4. Cetintav B, Yalcin A. From Prediction to Precision: Explainable AI-Driven Insights for Targeted Treatment in Equine Colic. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 8;15(2).
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