Short-term complications after colic surgery in geriatric versus mature non-geriatric horses

To compare in geriatric and mature horses the occurrence of short-term complications and short-term outcome associated with complications after colic surgery.

Retrospective case-control study.

Horses aged ≥20 years (geriatric, n = 78) and 4-15 years (mature non-geriatric, n = 156) that had exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived recovery from general anesthesia.

Medical records (2000-2010) of horses that recovered from general anesthesia after colic surgery were reviewed. Postoperative complications evaluated included postoperative reflux (POR), diarrhea, inappetence, fever, leukopenia, incisional infection, incisional dehiscence, thrombophlebitis, colic, repeat celiotomy, pneumonia, and laminitis. Short-term outcome (alive vs. dead at hospital discharge) of geriatric and mature horses with these complications were compared. Data were analyzed using a χ(2) or Fisher's exact test or an ANOVA. Level of significance P < .05.

Geriatric horses had higher odds of having a small intestinal strangulating lesion than mature horses. A higher proportion of geriatric horses had POR and inappetence; however, there was no difference in the proportion of geriatric and mature horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions having POR. Short-term outcome with and without complications was similar between the 2 age groups.

Geriatric and mature horses have similar occurrences of short-term complications and short-term outcomes associated with complications after colic surgery.