Large colon resection and anastomosis in horses: 52 cases (1996-2006).
BACKGROUND
Large colon resection and anastomosis (LCRA) is the most aggressive method of surgical management of a colon with questionable viability. Currently, published studies are comprised mostly of broodmares and discuss short-term survival.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prognosis for survival after LCRA in a diverse population of horses, report the incidence of post operative complications, and determine if associations between analysed variables and survival rate exist.


METHODS
The medical records of 52 horses that underwent LCRA were evaluated. Data were used to identify univariable associations with survival as well as complications related to LCRA. Chi-square, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, with significance set at P<0.05.


RESULTS
Forty-four horses (84.6%) survived anaesthesia and recovery, 30 (57.7%) survived to be discharged from the hospital. Of the variables analysed, heart rate 24 h after recovery was significantly associated with mortality, as were endotoxaemia, ileus and peritonitis experienced post operatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Heart rate 24 h after recovery may be a more reliable prognostic indicator than other analysed variables. Survival rate and complications after LCRA were similar to those previously reported.
Driscoll
N
N
Chino Valley Equine Hospital, 2945 English Place, Chino Hills, CA 917109, USA.
Baia
P
P
Fischer
A T
AT
Brauer
T
T
Klohnen
A
A
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D011312:Pressure; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome