Postoperative Complications and Survival after Enterolith Removal from the Ascending or Descending Colon in Horses |
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Authors: | Rebecca L Pierce BVetMed Andrew T Fischer DVM Diplomate ACVS Barton W Rohrbach VMD MPH Dipolmate ACVPM Andreas Klohnen DVM Diplomate ACVS |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN;2. Chino Valley Equine Hospital, Chino Hills, CA;3. Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN |
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Abstract: | Objective: To compare incidence of postoperative complications and survival of horses that had surgery for enterolithiasis of the ascending (AC) or descending (DC) colon. Study design: Case series Animals: Horses (n=236) that had celiotomy for AC (n=97) or DC (n=139) enterolithiasis. Methods: Medical records (1999–2005) were reviewed for signalment, presenting clinical signs, surgical findings, postoperative complications, and short‐term survival until discharge. Information on performance and survival ≥1 year was obtained by telephone or mailed questionnaire. Results: Number of postoperative complications did not differ between groups (P=.76). The most frequently identified short‐term complications for all horses were incisional problems, gastric ulceration, ileus, diarrhea, fever, and anorexia. Horses with DC enteroliths had a significantly higher incidence of anorexia (P=.04) and fever (P=.01). The most common complications after hospital discharge were incisional problems, laminitis, weight loss, and colic. Although more DC horses were euthanatized intraoperatively (P=.02), no differences were detected for horses that survived until discharge (P=.18) or ≥1 year after discharge (P=.47). Conclusions: Number or type of postsurgical complications or survival after surgery was not influenced by enterolith location and horses have a favorable prognosis for long‐term survival after enterolith removal, regardless of site of obstruction in the colon. Clinical Relevance: Incidence of postoperative complications and survival are not affected by the site of enterolith obstruction in the colon. |
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