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

To compare incidence of postoperative complications and survival of horses that had surgery for enterolithiasis of the ascending (AC) or descending (DC) colon.

Case series

Horses (n=236) that had celiotomy for AC (n=97) or DC (n=139) enterolithiasis.

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.

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).

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.

Incidence of postoperative complications and survival are not affected by the site of enterolith obstruction in the colon.