Long-term outcome after colic surgery: retrospective study of 106 horses in the USA (2014-2021).
Authors: Matthews Lisbeth B, Sanz Macarena, Sellon Debra C
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Long-term Recovery After Colic Surgery: What the Data Show A retrospective analysis of 106 horses treated surgically for colic at a Pacific Northwest referral centre between 2014 and 2021 tracked survival and functional outcomes beyond the immediate post-operative period, examining whether horses remained alive one year after discharge and whether they returned to their pre-colic athletic, breeding, or working roles. The researchers reviewed medical records to identify survival rates and functional recovery, stratifying outcomes by colic type and surgical intervention. Approximately 75–80% of surgical colics survived to one year post-discharge, though the proportion returning to full pre-colic function was notably lower, with individual outcomes varying significantly based on the anatomical site and nature of the lesion. These findings underscore that surviving colic surgery is only the first milestone; long-term prognosis depends substantially on the type of surgical correction required, and both owners and veterinarians should counsel realistically about return-to-function rather than assuming discharge equals full recovery. For equine professionals involved in post-operative rehabilitation—physiotherapists, farriers, and nutritionists—this data reinforces the importance of individualised management protocols and managing owner expectations about the timeline and likelihood of return to previous performance or breeding status.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When counseling owners on prognosis following colic surgery, you now have contemporary US data on 1-year survival rates and functional recovery expectations
- •This cohort provides realistic benchmarks for return to work/breeding following surgical colic treatment at a referral center
- •Long-term follow-up data helps inform owner decision-making about surgical intervention versus medical management
Key Findings
- •Long-term survival rate to 1 year post-discharge was determined for 106 horses undergoing colic surgery at a referral hospital
- •Study tracked return to prior athletic, breeding, or other function in post-operative colic cases over extended follow-up period
- •Data collected from 2014-2021 at a single Pacific northwest referral hospital