Postoperative reflux (POR) is rare following large colon volvulus (LCV) but does occur despite the absence of a small intestinal lesion. The prevalence, risk factors, and association with survival of POR after LCV are currently unknown. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of POR in horses with an LCV and its association with survival. A further objective was to assess factors that might predict POR.
Researchers obtained clinical data of client-owned horses that underwent colic surgery at a single U.K. referral hospital between 2008 and 2021 where LCV was the primary finding from hospital records. Statistical analyses included chi-squared, t-tests, and odds ratios (ORs). The analysis excluded horses with concurrent lesions and those that did not survive past anesthetic recovery. POR was defined as ≥ 2 liters of gastric reflux on at least one occasion.
The study included a total of 128 horses, 23 of which had POR (18%). Overall survival to hospital discharge was 86%, 95% in the non-POR, and 44% in the POR group. Horses with POR were significantly less likely to survive to discharge than those without (OR = 26, 95% confidence interval [CI] [7.68–88.0], p < 0.001), and they were less likely to be alive three years after surgery (OR = 13.4, 95% CI [2.78–64.8], p < 0.001).
Bottom Line
POR in LCV cases is a negative prognostic indicator for short- and long-term survival.
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14095
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