Use of an active intra-abdominal drain in 67 horses.
Abstract: To describe the insertion technique, efficacy, and complications associated with the use of an active (closed-suction) abdominal drain in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Animals-Sixty-seven horses with abdominal contamination treated by abdominal lavage and use of a closed-suction abdominal drain. Methods: Medical records of horses (1989-1996) that had a closed-suction abdominal drain were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interviews with owners. Results: Sixty-eight closed-suction abdominal drains were used in 67 horses that had abdominal contamination, peritonitis, or to prevent adhesion formation. The drain was placed under general anesthesia (62 horses) or in a standing position (6 horses). Abdominal lavage was performed every 4 to 12 hours and about 83% of the peritoneal lavage solution was retrieved. Minor complications associated with drain use occurred in 49% of the horses and included obstruction or slow passage of fluid through the drain in 18 horses (26%), leakage of fluid around the drain in 11 horses (16%), and subcutaneous fluid accumulation around the drain in 8 horses (12%). Incisional suppuration developed in 20 of 62 (32%) and incisional herniation in 5 of 46 (11%) horses. Conclusions: A closed-suction drain system was easily placed and was associated with only minor complications in most horses. Conclusions: Active abdominal drainage and lavage is a useful adjunct in the treatment of peritonitis or as a prophylactic procedure in horses at risk of developing septic peritonitis and abdominal adhesions. Clinicians should be aware of the high incidence of minor complications.
Copyright 2003 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Publication Date: 2003-01-10 PubMed ID: 12520484DOI: 10.1053/jvet.2003.50013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates the use of an active, closed-suction abdominal drain in horses. It looks at the technique of insertion, its effectiveness, and any associated complications, finding that while minor complications are common, the procedure is generally a beneficial addition to the treatment of peritonitis and at-risk horses.
Study Methodology
- The study is retrospective in nature, reviewing medical records of horses that had a closed-suction abdominal drain inserted between 1989 and 1996.
- A total of 67 horses that had suffered abdominal contamination were studied. All of these horses were treated through abdominal lavage (washing out the abdominal cavity) and the use of a closed-suction abdominal drain.
- Follow-up information was obtained by conducting telephone interviews with the owners of the horses.
Results
- 68 closed-suction abdominal drains were used in the 67 horses, employed to either prevent adhesion formation or treat peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) and abdominal contamination.
- The drain was placed either under general anesthesia (in 62 horses) or while the horse was standing (in 6 cases).
- Abdominal lavage was carried out every 4 to 12 hours and around 83% of the peritoneal lavage solution was successfully retrieved through the drainage system.
Complications
- About half of the horses (49%) experienced minor complications linked to the drain use. These included slow passage or obstruction of fluid through the drain (26%), leakage of fluid around the drain (16%), and subcutaneous fluid accumulation around the drain (12%).
- Incisional suppuration (the formation of pus at the incision site) occurred in 32% of the horses and incisional herniation (protrusion of abdominal contents at the incision site) in 11% of horses. Despite these complications, the benefits of the procedure were found to generally outweigh the issues.
Conclusions
- The active abdominal drain system could be easily inserted and was associated primarily with minor complications.
- These procedures are beneficial as a preventive measure in horses at risk of septic peritonitis and abdominal adhesions, or as a form of treatment for peritonitis.
- The research advises clinicians to be aware of the high frequency of minor complications when considering this treatment option.
Cite This Article
APA
Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Vatistas NJ, Spier SJ, Van Hoogmoed L.
(2003).
Use of an active intra-abdominal drain in 67 horses.
Vet Surg, 32(1), 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1053/jvet.2003.50013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Peritonitis / surgery
- Peritonitis / veterinary
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Records / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Suction / methods
- Suction / veterinary
- Therapeutic Irrigation / veterinary
- Tissue Adhesions / surgery
- Tissue Adhesions / veterinary
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