Post anaesthetic colic in horses: a preventable complication?

Abstract

Summary Reasons for performing study: There is little information on the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, post anaesthetic colic (PAC) in horses undergoing nonabdominal operations. Objectives: To undertake the first prospective study of prevalence of PAC and identify risk factors in its development in nonabdominal procedures. Methods: A multicentre prospective case‐control study was conducted, on every horse undergoing anaesthesia for a nonabdominal procedure between April 2004 and June 2005. Colic cases were defined as any horse with recognised signs of abdominal pain within 72 h of general anaesthesia that could not be attributed to any concurrent disease. Five control horses per case were selected randomly from the study population at all hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between predictor variables and the risk of developing PAC. Results: The estimated mean prevalence of PAC in the study population was 5.2% (95% CI, 2.8, 8.0). However, the prevalence of colic varied between each centre. The most commonly diagnosed cause of colic was impaction. Multivariable analyses showed that the centre involved and the type of surgery performed were associated with an increased risk of PAC. Preoperative food deprivation and the use of opioid drugs were confounding factors. Conclusions: Prevalence of PAC varied significantly between the 4 hospitals studied; there may be hospital‐related covariates that account for this. The type of surgery performed influenced the risk of PAC. Potential relevance: Identifying the risk factors for PAC is a prerequisite for its prevention. This study indicates horses at increased risk of PAC that might benefit from a more critical evaluation of post anaesthetic gastrointestinal function and/or the provision of preventative measures. Further investigation is required to explain the variation in prevalence of PAC between centres.

Peri‐anaesthetic complications in an equine referral hospital: Risk factors for post anaesthetic colic

“…Multiple studies have reported specific morbidity rates for PAC and myopathy/neuropathy ; however, the authors are aware of only one study reporting the overall morbidity rate , which was comparable (13.7%) to the present study.…”

“…Unlike Senior et al . , Anderson et al . reported the administration of PBZ post operatively as a potential risk factor for PAC in the univariable analyses; however, after controlling for the effect of MRI/surgeon and other risk factors, the use of PBZ was no longer significant.…”

Gastrointestinal effects following acupuncture at Pericardium‐6 and Stomach‐36 in healthy dogs: a pilot study

“…, Senior et al . ). In addition, virtually all inhaled and injectable anaesthetics have been implicated in the development of decreased GI motility (Tinckler , Schurizek et al .…”

Feeding management pre- and post-surgery

“…Additionally, poor nutritional status at the time of surgery may impact the extent of endocrine and metabolic derangements due to surgery and anesthesia. A multicenter prospective casecontrol study of post anesthetic colic was reported by Senior et al (2006). Morphine was associated with a fourfold increased risk of colic compared with the use of no opioid or butorphanol, and out-of-hours surgery was also associated with an increased risk.…”