Evaluation of risk factors associated with development of postoperative ileus in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors associated with development of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses undergoing surgery for colic.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
251 horses undergoing colic surgery, of which 47 developed POI.


METHODS
Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, pre- and postoperative treatments, lesions, complications, costs, and outcome were recorded for all horses during hospitalization.


RESULTS
Variables associated with increased odds of POI included small intestinal lesion, high PCV, and increased duration of anesthesia. There was modest evidence that pelvic flexure enterotomy and intraoperative administration of lidocaine may have reduced the odds of developing POI.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings during the preoperative and intraoperative periods can be used to identify horses at increased risk of POI. Reducing surgical and anesthetic duration should decrease the incidence of POI.
Cohen
Noah D
ND
Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA.
Lester
Guy D
GD
Sanchez
L Chris
LC
Merritt
Alfred M
AM
Roussel
Allen J
AJ
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors