Postoperative complications and survival after enterolith removal from the ascending or descending colon in horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare incidence of postoperative complications and survival of horses that had surgery for enterolithiasis of the ascending (AC) or descending (DC) colon. STUDY DESIGN: Case series ANIMALS: Horses (n=236) that had celiotomy for AC (n=97) or DC (n=139) enterolithiasis. METHODS: Medical records (1999-2005) were reviewed for signalment, presenting clinical signs, surgical findings, postoperative complications, and short-term survival until discharge. Information on performance and survival > or = 1 year was obtained by telephone or mailed questionnaire. RESULTS: Number of postoperative complications did not differ between groups (P=.76). The most frequently identified short-term complications for all horses were incisional problems, gastric ulceration, ileus, diarrhea, fever, and anorexia. Horses with DC enteroliths had a significantly higher incidence of anorexia (P=.04) and fever (P=.01). The most common complications after hospital discharge were incisional problems, laminitis, weight loss, and colic. Although more DC horses were euthanatized intraoperatively (P=.02), no differences were detected for horses that survived until discharge (P=.18) or > or = 1 year after discharge (P=.47). CONCLUSIONS: Number or type of postsurgical complications or survival after surgery was not influenced by enterolith location and horses have a favorable prognosis for long-term survival after enterolith removal, regardless of site of obstruction in the colon. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Incidence of postoperative complications and survival are not affected by the site of enterolith obstruction in the colon.