title: Anesthetic management of an incisional dehiscence in recovery following exploratory laparotomy in a horse.
abstract: A 5-year old Arabian mare fell during recovery from general anesthesia after an exploratory laparotomy. This fall resulted in dehiscence of the abdominal closure, and a substantial amount of intestines were exteriorized. Chemical and manual restraints were rapidly used to prevent trauma to the exposed intestines. A second general anesthesia was initiated to clean the intestines and close the incision. Multiple anesthetic problems were encountered, including arterial hypotension and hypoxemia. The horse recovered from the second general anesthesia and surgery, and all complications gradually resolved. The horse was discharged and has not had further problems to date.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Eicker
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002137:Calculi / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006140:Guaifenesin; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007649:Ketamine; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013840:Thiamylal; D014991:Xylazine
chemical_list: D013840:Thiamylal; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D014991:Xylazine; D006140:Guaifenesin; D007649:Ketamine