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Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)2024; doi: 10.1111/vec.13374

Retrospective evaluation of the effects of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for small intestinal lesions (2008-2019): 240 cases.

Abstract: To determine the effect of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on the risk of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery and to investigate its association with incisional complications and short-term survival. Methods: Retrospective cohort study over an 11-year period (2008-2019). Methods: UK-based private referral center. Methods: Two hundred and forty client-owned horses >6 months of age undergoing exploratory laparotomy for treatment of a small intestinal lesion. Methods: Ninety-seven horses received a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg, IV). Results: Of 97 horses that received dexamethasone, 52 (53.6%) required small intestinal resection. Of 143 horses that did not receive dexamethasone, small intestinal resection was performed in 78 (54.5%). A total of 70 horses (29%) developed POR. There was no difference in the risk of POR between horses that received dexamethasone (25/97; 26%) and those that did not (45/143; 31%, P = 0.34). Risk factors associated with the development of POR included small intestinal resection (odds ratio [OR]: 4.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.27-9.11, P 40% 24 hours postoperatively (OR: 4.11, 95% CI: 2-8.45, P 10 × 10/L on admission (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.47-7.41, P = 0.004). Dexamethasone was not associated with the odds of POR. Horses undergoing repeat laparotomy had a higher risk of incisional infection (OR: 8.07, 95% CI: 1.98-32.81, P = 0.004). Dexamethasone administration was not associated with incisional infection. The development of POR was negatively associated with short-term survival (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03-0.17, P ≤ 0.001). Dexamethasone administration was not retained in the final multivariable model for survival. Conclusions: Intraoperative dexamethasone was not associated with the development of POR in this study population, nor did it have an effect on postoperative survival or incisional infection in horses undergoing surgical management of small intestinal disease.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2024.
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Publication Date: 2024-05-29 PubMed ID: 38809185DOI: 10.1111/vec.13374Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research investigates the impact of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on horses undergoing small intestinal surgery and its association with post-surgery complications and survival. The study finds that the use of intraoperative dexamethasone does not affect the occurrence of postoperative reflux (POR), the risk of infection, or the short-term survival of horses after the surgery.

Study Design

  • The study is a retrospective evaluation, meaning researchers analyzed data related to surgeries performed in the past to gather their results.
  • The research spans over an 11-year period from 2008 to 2019.
  • The study was conducted at a private referral center in the UK.
  • The subjects of study were 240 client-owned horses that were more than six months old and had undergone laparotomy (a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity) for small intestinal lesions.

Intraoperative Dexamethasone Administration

  • Out of the total, 97 horses received a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg, IV).
  • Small intestinal resection (removal of a piece of small intestine) was performed on 52 out of these 97 horses (53.6%), and 25 of them (26%) developed postoperative reflux (POR).

Results

  • Comparatively, out of 143 horses that did not receive dexamethasone, a small intestinal resection was performed on 78 horses (54.5%), and 45 of these horses (31%) developed POR.
  • In total, 70 horses (29%) out of the entire sample developed POR, indicating no significant difference between the horses administered with dexamethasone and those without the drug.
  • Additionally, the study found that factors like small intestinal resection, high postoperative PCV (Packed Cell Volume) levels, and high WBC (White Blood Cell) count on admission were associated with the risk of developing POR, whereas dexamethasone administration was not.

Postoperative Complications and Survival

  • Horses who underwent repeat laparotomy had a higher risk of incisional infection, but dexamethasone administration did not affect this risk.
  • The occurrence of POR was negatively associated with short-term survival, meaning, horses that developed POR had a lesser chance of survival.
  • However, the administration of dexamethasone had no impact on the short-term survival of the horses, as per the final multivariable model for survival.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that the intraoperative administration of dexamethasone does not affect the development of POR, likelihood of post-surgery infection, or short-term post-surgery survival in horses undergoing small intestine surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Tallon RE, Allen SE, Bladon BM, McGovern KF. (2024). Retrospective evaluation of the effects of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for small intestinal lesions (2008-2019): 240 cases. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13374

Publication

Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
ISSN: 1476-4431
NlmUniqueID: 101152804
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Tallon, Rose E
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, UK.
Allen, Sarah E
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Bladon, Bruce M
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, UK.
McGovern, Kate F
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Vitale V, Velloso Alvarez A, Neira-Egea P, Diss C, Cuervo-Arango J. The Effect of Vaccination Status on Total Lymphocyte Count in Horses Affected by Equine Herpes Virus-1 Myeloencephalopathy. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 1;15(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15071019pubmed: 40218411google scholar: lookup
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