title: [Colic surgery in the horse: a retrospective study of 272 patients].
abstract: In the period from January 1995 until December 2000, 272 horses underwent a laparotomy for gastrointestinal disorders. The results of these surgeries were evaluated. From these 272 patients 176 (= 65%) were discharged in good health from the hospital. When the patients that were euthanized immediately after the start of the surgery, because of a fatal deterioration, were not taken into account, the short time survival rate was 77%. Strangulated small and large intestinal obstructions (48%) had a lower short time survival rate than non-strangulated obstructions (87%). Fatal postoperative complications occurred in 18% of the patients in which the surgery was completed. Postoperative shock was the most common cause. Non-fatal complications were found in 16% of the patients which survived surgery. The major non-fatal complications were incisional hernia and thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein. From the patients that survived the surgery 81% returned to their former level of performance. Early referral may decrease the percentage of fatal complications and improve the prognoses of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Dierenkliniek De Lingehoeve, Veldstraat 3a, 4033 AK, Lienden. p.wiemer@wxs.nl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wiemer
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van der Veen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pruissen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002423:Cause of Death; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; 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; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome