Return to use and performance following exploratory celiotomy for colic in horses: 195 cases (2003-2010).

This research investigates the recovery and return to function of horses following colic surgery, attempting to identify factors that might correlate to less successful outcomes. It suggests that prognosis for a return to function and performance after such surgery is generally fair to good, but that there are various pre and post-operative factors that might affect this likelihood.

Research Methods

• The researchers utilized data from the North Carolina State University Equine Colic Database, focusing on horses that underwent exploratory celiotomy (abdominal surgery) for colic from 2003 to 2010.
• Horses were excluded from the study if they did not survive at least six months after the surgery, did not have a designated use before the operation, or if further data could not be collected at a follow-up attempt.
• The researchers acquired information about the history, background, and use of each horse and selected factors from before, during, and after the surgery.
• Follow-up data were collected via telephone interviews.
• Finally, logistic regression was employed to explore associations between the clinical data and outcome, with results reported as odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and corresponding P value.

Results

• Out of the horses that survived for at least six months post-surgery, 68% were performing their intended use and 54% met or exceeded their preoperative performance.
• After one year, these figures increased to 76% and 66% respectively.
• However, it was less likely for a horse to return to use or reach its previous performance if it had a prior abdominal surgery, needed stall rest due to an orthopaedic condition, had a non-strangulating lesion type, developed an incisional hernia, diarrhoea, or laminitis post-surgery.

Conclusions

• The overall prognosis for horses to return to their intended use and performance following colic surgery is generally fair to good according to this study.
• However, certain factors prior to and following the surgery may impact the chances of the horse returning to use and reaching its previous performance.
• Raising awareness among horse owners about preoperative factors, postoperative rehabilitation, and treatment for complications such as hernioplasty for incisional hernia, could better inform them of their horse’s potential for regaining its performance after colic surgery.