Analyze Diet
Equine veterinary journal1993; 25(5); 427-431; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02985.x

Retrospective analysis of the results of 151 exploratory laparotomies in horses with gastrointestinal disease.

Abstract: Of 149 horses that underwent 151 exploratory laparotomies for gastrointestinal disorders from September 1987 to May 1991, 107 (72%) were discharged from the hospital: 100 (66%) survived for > 7 months, 94 of which returned to their intended use. Survival rate (64/80) for horses with caecum/large colon obstruction was significantly (P = 0.003) higher than for horses with small intestinal obstruction (33/64). Prolonged surgery was associated with significantly (P < 0.001) lower survival rates than short surgical time. In the large intestine, survival rate (15/29) for strangulated obstructions was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than for simple obstructions (52/58). Generalised septic peritonitis (9 horses) and bowel obstruction associated with adhesions (8 horses) were the most frequent fatal post-operative complications. The rate (6/44) of post-operative adhesions after small intestinal obstruction was significantly (P = 0.006) higher than that (2/68) following large intestinal obstruction. The rate (8/55) of post-operative adhesion formation in horses that required enterotomy/enterectomy was significantly (P = 0.003) higher than that (0/57) in horses that did not require gut wall incisions. Incisional suppuration developed in 42 horses and occurred with a significantly (P = 0.028) higher rate (32/72) after caecum/large colon lesions than after obstruction at other sites, (10/42) but was not associated with known contamination at the time of surgery (P = 0.806).
Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 8223375DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02985.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • 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 studied outcomes from 151 exploratory surgeries on horses with different gastrointestinal disorders and found survival rates varied depending on the specific illness and duration of the surgery. The study also observed postoperative complications, such as generalized septic peritonitis and adhesion associated bowel obstruction.

Study Overview and Method

  • The researchers carried out a retrospective examination on the outcomes from 151 exploratory laparotomies (a type of abdominal surgery) on 149 horses suffering from various gastrointestinal ailments.
  • The timeframe for this study extended from September 1987 to May 1991.
  • The objective of the study was to evaluate the survival rates and post-operative complications associated with different types of gastrointestinal disorders in horses.

Key Findings

  • Out of all the horses that underwent surgery, 72% survived and were discharged from the hospital.
  • Horses survived for more than seven months in 66% of the cases, with a majority of these returning to their normal activities.
  • The survival rate was notably higher in horses with obstructions in the caecum or large colon than those with small intestinal obstructions.
  • Longer surgical times were significantly associated with lower survival rates.
  • In terms of large intestinal issues, survival rates were significantly lower for strangulated obstructions compared to simple obstructions.
  • The most common fatal post-operative complications were generalized septic peritonitis (a severe infection in the abdomen) and bowel obstructions associated with adhesions (scar tissue).

Post-operative Complications

  • The frequency of post-operative adhesions, a form of internal scarring, was higher in horses that had small intestinal obstructions compared to those with large intestinal obstructions.
  • Horses that required enterotomy or enterectomy (surgical procedures involving the intestine) had a significantly higher risk of forming post-operative adhesions compared to those that didn’t need these procedures.
  • Incisional suppuration, the formation of pus in surgical wounds, was more common in horses with caecum/large colon lesions compared to other obstructions, although this complication was not associated with known contamination at the time of surgery.

Conclusion

  • The study reveals a complex interaction of factors influencing the outcome of horses undergoing laparotomies for gastrointestinal issues, including the specific nature of the disorder, duration of the surgery, and the presence of postoperative complications.
  • The researchers’ findings could be important in improving surgical practices and postoperative care for horses undergoing surgical treatments for gastrointestinal diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Phillips TJ, Walmsley JP. (1993). Retrospective analysis of the results of 151 exploratory laparotomies in horses with gastrointestinal disease. Equine Vet J, 25(5), 427-431. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02985.x

Publication

ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 5
Pages: 427-431

Researcher Affiliations

Phillips, T J
  • Equine Veterinary Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
Walmsley, J P

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Cause of Death
    • Cecal Diseases / mortality
    • Cecal Diseases / surgery
    • Cecal Diseases / veterinary
    • Colonic Diseases / mortality
    • Colonic Diseases / surgery
    • Colonic Diseases / veterinary
    • Female
    • Follow-Up Studies
    • Gastrointestinal Diseases / mortality
    • Gastrointestinal Diseases / surgery
    • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / mortality
    • Horse Diseases / surgery
    • Horses
    • Intestinal Obstruction / mortality
    • Intestinal Obstruction / surgery
    • Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
    • Intestine, Large
    • Intestine, Small
    • Laparotomy / veterinary
    • Male
    • Postoperative Complications / mortality
    • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Surgical Wound Infection / mortality
    • Surgical Wound Infection / veterinary
    • Survival Rate
    • Time Factors
    • Tissue Adhesions / mortality
    • Tissue Adhesions / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 22 times.
    1. Baldwin CM, Gillen A. An ex vivo comparison of jejunal transection angles and the effect on lumen diameter following end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomoses. Vet Surg 2026 Feb;55(2):484-490.
      doi: 10.1111/vsu.14294pubmed: 40525474google scholar: lookup
    2. Bishop RC, Arrington JV, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM. Alterations in the Peritoneal Fluid Proteome of Horses with Colic Attributed to Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Intestinal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 30;15(11).
      doi: 10.3390/ani15111604pubmed: 40509070google scholar: lookup
    3. 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).
    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.
      doi: 10.1002/vetr.5227pubmed: 40123113google scholar: lookup
    5. Scilimati N, Cerullo A, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Giusto G, Bertoletti A. Small Colon Faecalith with Large Colon Displacement in Ten Cases (2015-2023): A Detailed Case Description and Literature Review. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 15;14(2).
      doi: 10.3390/ani14020262pubmed: 38254431google scholar: lookup
    6. Bardell D, Rocchigiani G, Ressel L, Milner P. Histological Evaluation of Resected Tissue as a Predictor of Survival in Horses with Strangulating Small Intestinal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 26;13(17).
      doi: 10.3390/ani13172715pubmed: 37684979google scholar: lookup
    7. 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
    8. Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L. Retrospective Study on Risk Factors and Short-Term Outcome of Horses Referred for Colic from 2016 to 2022. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100545pubmed: 36288158google scholar: lookup
    9. 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).
      doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10050587pubmed: 34065712google scholar: lookup
    10. Averay K, van Galen G, Ward M, Verwilghen D. Effect of three different needle holders on gastrointestinal anastomosis construction time and bursting pressure in equine jejunal segments. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 15;17(1):167.
      doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02871-4pubmed: 33858391google scholar: lookup
    11. Voss JK, Dubois MS. Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):179-183.
      pubmed: 33542558
    12. Crosa AT, Katzman SA, Kelleher ME, Nieto JE, Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE. Incidence of incisional complications after exploratory celiotomy in equids affected with enterolithiasis. Can Vet J 2020 Oct;61(10):1085-1091.
      pubmed: 33012825
    13. Lambertini C, Bombardi C, Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Dondi F, Morini M, Rinnovati R, Spadari A, Romagnoli N. Proteinase Activated Receptor 4 in the Jejunum of Healthy Horses and of Horses With Epiploic Hernia. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:158.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00158pubmed: 32296721google scholar: lookup
    14. Kaufman JM, Nekouei O, Doyle AJ, Biermann NM. Clinical findings, diagnoses, and outcomes of horses presented for colic to a referral hospital in Atlantic Canada (2000-2015). Can Vet J 2020 Mar;61(3):281-288.
      pubmed: 32165752
    15. 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.
      doi: 10.7717/peerj.5772pubmed: 30430040google scholar: lookup
    16. Arroyo LG, Gomez DE, Martins C. Equine duodenitis-proximal jejunitis: A review. Can Vet J 2018 May;59(5):510-517.
      pubmed: 29904204
    17. Bracamonte JL, Devick I, Thomas KL, Hendrick S. Comparison of hand-sewn and oversewn stapled jejunojejunal anastomoses in horses. Can Vet J 2018 Jan;59(1):67-73.
      pubmed: 29302105
    18. Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186825pubmed: 29065146google scholar: lookup
    19. Wormstrand BH, Ihler CF, Diesen R, Krontveit RI. Surgical treatment of equine colic - a retrospective study of 297 surgeries in Norway 2005-2011. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Jun 16;56(1):38.
      doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-56-38pubmed: 24934123google scholar: lookup
    20. Schnellmann C, Gerber V, Rossano A, Jaquier V, Panchaud Y, Doherr MG, Thomann A, Straub R, Perreten V. Presence of new mecA and mph(C) variants conferring antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus spp. isolated from the skin of horses before and after clinic admission. J Clin Microbiol 2006 Dec;44(12):4444-54.
      doi: 10.1128/JCM.00868-06pubmed: 17005735google scholar: lookup
    21. Abutarbush SM, Carmalt JL, Shoemaker RW. Causes of gastrointestinal colic in horses in western Canada: 604 cases (1992 to 2002). Can Vet J 2005 Sep;46(9):800-5.
      pubmed: 16231649
    22. Thomas HL, Zaruby JF, Smith CL, Livesey MA. Postcastration eventration in 18 horses: the prognostic indicators for long-term survival (1985-1995). Can Vet J 1998 Dec;39(12):764-8.
      pubmed: 9861501