Use of an active intra-abdominal drain in 67 horses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the insertion technique, efficacy, and complications associated with the use of an active (closed-suction) abdominal drain in horses.


METHODS
Retrospective study. Animals-Sixty-seven horses with abdominal contamination treated by abdominal lavage and use of a closed-suction abdominal drain.


METHODS
Medical records of horses (1989-1996) that had a closed-suction abdominal drain were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interviews with owners.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight closed-suction abdominal drains were used in 67 horses that had abdominal contamination, peritonitis, or to prevent adhesion formation. The drain was placed under general anesthesia (62 horses) or in a standing position (6 horses). Abdominal lavage was performed every 4 to 12 hours and about 83% of the peritoneal lavage solution was retrieved. Minor complications associated with drain use occurred in 49% of the horses and included obstruction or slow passage of fluid through the drain in 18 horses (26%), leakage of fluid around the drain in 11 horses (16%), and subcutaneous fluid accumulation around the drain in 8 horses (12%). Incisional suppuration developed in 20 of 62 (32%) and incisional herniation in 5 of 46 (11%) horses.


CONCLUSIONS
A closed-suction drain system was easily placed and was associated with only minor complications in most horses.


CONCLUSIONS
Active abdominal drainage and lavage is a useful adjunct in the treatment of peritonitis or as a prophylactic procedure in horses at risk of developing septic peritonitis and abdominal adhesions. Clinicians should be aware of the high incidence of minor complications.
Nieto
Jorge E
JE
Comparative Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Snyder
Jack R
JR
Vatistas
Nicholas J
NJ
Spier
Sharon J
SJ
Van Hoogmoed
Linda
L
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*