An evaluation of the haemostatic suture in hysterotomy closure in the mare.
This study was designed to evaluate the haemostatic suture as a means of preventing haemorrhage from the hysterotomy in mares after caesarean section. At 2 university hospitals 1982-1994, 48 mares had caesarean section for dystocia, 10 as an elective, and 8 mares concurrently with colic surgery. The haemostatic suture was used in 31 of 66 mares (47%) and surgery period was significantly (P<0.05) shorter when it was not applied. Anaemia (PCV<30%) was recorded in 13 (22%) of 58 mares, excluding the colic group, and the haemostatic suture did not after this proportion of mares that had anaemia. Anaemia was 5 times more probable following caesarean section than vaginal delivery, evidence that bleeding from the hysterotomy is a serious and common complication of caesarean section in mares. Severe uterine haemorrhage was recorded in 3 mares that had an haemostatic suture (10%) and in 2 mares that did not (6%). The latter two mares died of haemorrhage. The suture, therefore did not eliminate post operative anaemia and severe uterine haemorrhage. If omitted, the hysterotomy should be closed with a full thickness pattern that is sufficiently tight to compress vessels in the uterine wall.
University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana 61802, USA.
D E
DE
Freeman
J K
JK
Johnston
G J
GJ
Baker
L L
LL
Hungerford
T F
TF
Lock
D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D003085:Colic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004420:Dystocia / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D020883:Hysterotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary