Occurrence of Incisional Complications After Closure of Equine Celiotomies With USP 7 Polydioxanone.
Authors: Anderson Stacy L, Devick Ian, Bracamonte Jose L, Hendrick Steve, Barber Spencer M, Carmalt James L, Wilson David G
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary Ventral median celiotomy incisions in horses are typically closed with absorbable suture material, but long-term complication rates following different closure techniques remain incompletely characterised. This retrospective review examined 75 celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD) in 73 horses over a decade, tracking incisional outcomes during hospitalisation and through follow-up exceeding one year. Complication rates proved relatively modest: whilst 25.3% of cases experienced some form of incisional problem during the acute postoperative period—predominantly drainage (25.3%), infection (12.0%), and partial dehiscence (5.3%)—only 3.2% of horses available for long-term follow-up developed incisional hernias, suggesting acceptable durability of this closure technique. Risk factors for acute complications included prolonged hospitalisation, extended surgical time, postoperative colic recurrence, and postoperative fever, highlighting the importance of minimising operative duration and managing secondary colic episodes effectively. For practitioners managing postoperative colic cases, these findings support 7PD as a reasonable choice for ventral celiotomy closure, though heightened vigilance for incisional complications is warranted in cases with extended hospitalisation or postoperative fever, and careful owner counselling regarding drainage and infection risk during initial recovery remains prudent.
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Practical Takeaways
- •USP 7 polydioxanone appears suitable for celiotomy closure with a low hernia rate (3.2%), though expect drainage in 1 in 4 cases
- •Minimize surgery time and manage postoperative colic and fever aggressively, as these factors significantly increase incisional complication risk
- •Monitor hospitalized horses closely during their stay and advise owners on post-discharge wound care, as 25% of complications occur after discharge
Key Findings
- •25.3% of horses (19/75 celiotomies) developed one or more incisional complications during hospitalization or after discharge
- •Incisional drainage occurred in 25.3%, infection in 12.0%, and partial dehiscence in 5.3% of cases
- •Only 3.2% (2/63) of horses available for long-term follow-up developed incisional hernia
- •Risk factors for complications included prolonged hospitalization, increased surgery time, postoperative colic, and postoperative fever