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

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.