Incidence of incisional complications after exploratory celiotomy in equids affected with enterolithiasis.

This study reports the prevalence of and risk factors for incisional complications in equids after ventral midline celiotomy for enterolithiasis. This study covered the years 2008 to 2015 and included 72 equids. Enteroliths were removed from the ascending or descending colon through 1 or more enterotomies. Complications were defined as surgical site infection and/or incisional hernia formation. Follow-up by telephone questionnaire or medical records determined that 10/72 (13.9%) equids experienced complications, with 6/72 (8.3%) developing a surgical site infection and 5/72 (6.9%) a hernia. Seven of ten were presented for chronic abdominal discomfort (> 24 hours), and 8/10 had right dorsal colon and pelvic flexure enterotomies. All equids that developed an incisional hernia and 4 with surgical site infection had enteroliths > 15 cm diameter removed from the right dorsal colon. Antimicrobial powder applied to the ventral midline incision during closure significantly reduced incisional complications. Removal of > 15 cm diameter enteroliths from the right dorsal colon may predispose to postoperative incisional complications.

Incidence des complications incisionnelles après une céliotomie exploratoire chez des équidés atteints d'entérolithiase. Cette étude rapporte la prévalence et les facteurs de risque des complications incisionnelles chez les équidés opérés pour l'entérolithiase en utilisant une celiotomie médiane ventrale de 2008 à 2015. Soixantedouze équidés ont été inclus. Les entérolithes ont été retirés du côlon ascendant ou descendant par ≥ 1 entérotomies. Les complications étaient définies comme une infection du site opératoire et/ou la formation d'une hernie incisionnelle. Le suivi a été obtenu par questionnaire téléphonique ou par dossiers médicaux. Dix des 72 (13,9 %) des équidés ont eu des complications, dont 6/72 (8,3 %) ont développé une infection du site opératoire et 5/72 (6,9 %) une hernie. Sept sur 10 ont été présentés pour un malaise abdominal chronique (> 24 heures) et 8/10 avaient des entérotomies du côlon dorsal droit et de la flexion pelvienne. Tous les équidés ayant développé une hernie incisionnelle et quatre avec une infection du site opératoire avaient des entérolithes > 15 cm de diamètre prélevés du côlon dorsal droit. La poudre antimicrobienne appliquée sur l'incision médiane ventrale lors de la fermeture réduisait significativement les complications incisionnelles. Le retrait d'entolithes de > 15 cm de diamètre du côlon dorsal droit peut prédisposer aux complications incisionnelles postopératoires.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Minimally invasive, compartmentalized, modified open castration technique with primary closure in equids.

OBJECTIVE To describe use of a modified open castration technique with a scrotal approach and primary closure in equids. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 38 client-owned, sexually intact male equids. PROCEDURES With owner consent, elective castration was performed with a modified open technique on patients (1 pony, 1 miniature horse, and 36 horses of other breeds) under general anesthesia. The procedure included minimal dissection into the scrotal region for removal of testes, with cremaster muscles left intact and the parietal vaginal tunic closed in place. Primary closure of surgical wounds was performed. Patients were monitored for signs of complications. Signalment, surgery-related variables, results of ultrasonographic imaging, postoperative treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained from owners ≥ 6 months after surgery. Medical records were reviewed, and descriptive data were reported. RESULTS Median anesthesia and surgery times were 113.5 and 60 minutes, respectively. Duration of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 3 days. No intraoperative complications were observed. Postoperative complications (moderate swelling in the scrotal region) developed in 2 of 38 (5%) patients. Mild scrotal swelling (n = 5) and transient pyrexia (typically mild; 9) also occurred; no patients had signs of postoperative bleeding, infection, or colic. All equids gradually returned to exercise beginning 10 days after the procedure. Cosmetic results were considered excellent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The modified castration technique was considered simple to perform and advantageous because of the low complication rate, excellent cosmetic results, and prompt return to intended use after surgery.