title: Prevention of post operative complications following surgical treatment of equine colic: Current evidence.
abstract: Changes in management of the surgical colic patient over the last 30 years have resulted in considerable improvement in post operative survival rates. However, post operative complications remain common and these impact negatively on horse welfare, probability of survival, return to previous use and the costs of treatment. Multiple studies have investigated risk factors for post operative complications following surgical management of colic and interventions that might be effective in reducing the likelihood of these occurring. The findings from these studies are frequently contradictory and the evidence for many interventions is lacking or inconclusive. This review discusses the current available evidence and identifies areas where further studies are necessary and factors that should be taken into consideration in study design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Proudman
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Global Health and School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, UK.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Archer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: colic; horse; post operative colic; post operative complications; post operative ileus; surgical site infection