The effect of uterine torsion on mare and foal survival: a retrospective study, 1985–2005.
Abstract: Anecdotal speculation suggests that prognosis for survival of mares and foals following correction of uterine torsion has improved over the past 30 years. Objective: To determine statistically the outcome of uterine torsion according to duration of clinical signs, stage of gestation, parity, physical examination findings, method of correction, prognosis for survival and reproductive health of the mare, and prospects for the foal within the neonatal period. Methods: This retrospective study combined cases from 4 equine referral hospitals. Results: The stage of gestation at which uterine torsion occurred was a risk factor for survival of mare and foal. Overall mare survival was 53/63 (84%); when uterine torsion occurred at < 320 days gestation, 36/37 (97%) of mares survived compared to 17/26 (65%) survival rate when uterine torsion occurred at > or = 320 days gestation. Overall foal survival was 54% (29/54). When uterine torsion occurred at < 320 days gestation, 21/29 (72%) foals survived compared to 8/25 (32%) when uterine torsion occurred at > or = 320 days gestation. Thirty mares were discharged from the hospital carrying a viable fetus following uterine torsion correction and 25/30 (83%) of these mares delivered live foals that survived beyond the neonatal period. Conclusions: Prognosis for survival for mares and foals following uterine torsion is good and improves if torsion occurs < 320 days compared to > or = 320 days gestation. Conclusions: Gestational timing of uterine torsion should be considered when advising clients about the prognosis for survival of the mare and foal. The prognosis for a mare delivering a live foal is good if the mare is discharged from the hospital following uterine torsion correction with a viable fetus.
Publication Date: 2007-01-19 PubMed ID: 17228592DOI: 10.2746/042516407x159862Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper examines survival rates of mares and foals following uterine torsion, showing that the time of gestation during which the incident occurs significantly affects the survival prognosis. Survival rates are higher when uterine torsion happens before 320 days gestation.
Research Objective
- The study aims to statistically determine the outcome of uterine torsion in horses considering various factors such as duration of clinical signs, stage of gestation, parity, physical examination findings, method of correction, and the prospects for survival and reproductive health of the mare and foal within the neonatal period.
Method
- This is a retrospective study which compiles cases from four equine referral hospitals. This means the research uses previous existing data and records to study the outcomes of uterine torsion.
Results
- The timeframe of the gestation period when uterine torsion took place significantly influenced the survival of both mare and foal. Mares and foals showed a higher survival rate when the torsion occurred before than at or after 320 days of gestation.
- Mare survival was 84% overall, with a 97% survival rate for those that experienced torsion at less than 320 days gestation, and 65% survival rate for those where the torsion occurred on or after 320 days gestation.
- Foal survival was overall 54%, but was significantly influenced by the stage of gestation at which the torsion occurred. There was a 72% foal survival rate when torsion took place at less than 320 days, compared to a 32% survival rate at or after 320 days gestation.
- Out of the 30 mares that were discharged from the hospital carrying a viable fetus after uterine torsion correction, 83% were able to deliver live foals that survived beyond the neonatal period.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that both mares and their foals have a good prognosis for survival following uterine torsion correction, particularly when the torsion occurs earlier in the gestation period. The stage of gestation at which uterine torsion takes place should be acknowledged when advising clients about the prospects for the mare and foal’s survival.
- The chances of a mare delivering a live foal are high if she is discharged from the hospital after the torsion correction with a viable fetus.
Cite This Article
APA
Chaney KP, Holcombe SJ, LeBlanc MM, Hauptman JG, Embertson RM, Mueller PO, Beard WL.
(2007).
The effect of uterine torsion on mare and foal survival: a retrospective study, 1985–2005.
Equine Vet J, 39(1), 33-36.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x159862 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Gestational Age
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications / mortality
- Pregnancy Complications / pathology
- Pregnancy Complications / veterinary
- Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Survival Analysis
- Torsion Abnormality / veterinary
- Uterine Diseases / complications
- Uterine Diseases / mortality
- Uterine Diseases / pathology
- Uterine Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Samsel J, Gündemir O, Szara T, Witkowski M. Midline vs. flank laparotomy- criteria for choosing the optimal surgical technique for uterine torsion correction in the mare. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 24;21(1):542.
- Khalphallah A, Elmeligy E, Al-Daek T, Hussein HA, Mohamed RH, Sabra MS, Zakaria AM, Khalifa MI, Mohammed HH, Khesruf KA, Ghallab RS. Comparative study between efficacy of dexamethasone-prostaglandin-receptal combination and mechanical correction in uterine torsion cases in Egyptian buffalo-cows (Bubalus bubalis). BMC Vet Res 2023 Jul 24;19(1):92.
- Satoh M, Higuchi T, Inoue S, Gotoh T, Murase H, Nambo Y. Factors affecting the prognosis for uterine torsion: the effect of treatment based on measurements of serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations after surgery. J Equine Sci 2017;28(4):163-167.
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