title: Retrospective analysis of the results of 151 exploratory laparotomies in horses with gastrointestinal disease.
abstract: Of 149 horses that underwent 151 exploratory laparotomies for gastrointestinal disorders from September 1987 to May 1991, 107 (72%) were discharged from the hospital: 100 (66%) survived for > 7 months, 94 of which returned to their intended use. Survival rate (64/80) for horses with caecum/large colon obstruction was significantly (P = 0.003) higher than for horses with small intestinal obstruction (33/64). Prolonged surgery was associated with significantly (P < 0.001) lower survival rates than short surgical time. In the large intestine, survival rate (15/29) for strangulated obstructions was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than for simple obstructions (52/58). Generalised septic peritonitis (9 horses) and bowel obstruction associated with adhesions (8 horses) were the most frequent fatal post-operative complications. The rate (6/44) of post-operative adhesions after small intestinal obstruction was significantly (P = 0.006) higher than that (2/68) following large intestinal obstruction. The rate (8/55) of post-operative adhesion formation in horses that required enterotomy/enterectomy was significantly (P = 0.003) higher than that (0/57) in horses that did not require gut wall incisions. Incisional suppuration developed in 42 horses and occurred with a significantly (P = 0.028) higher rate (32/72) after caecum/large colon lesions than after obstruction at other sites, (10/42) but was not associated with known contamination at the time of surgery (P = 0.806).
authors.affiliation: Equine Veterinary Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Walmsley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002423:Cause of Death; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D007420:Intestine, Large; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary