The effect of uterine torsion on mare and foal survival: a retrospective study, 1985--2005.
Authors: Chaney K P, Holcombe S J, LeBlanc M M, Hauptman J G, Embertson R M, Mueller P O E, Beard W L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Uterine Torsion Outcomes in Mares and Foals Uterine torsion remains a surgical emergency in equine reproduction, yet the long-term prognosis following correction has been poorly quantified. Chaney and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis across four equine referral hospitals to establish survival rates and prognostic factors for both mare and foal following surgical correction of uterine torsion. Gestational stage emerged as the critical variable: when torsion occurred before 320 days gestation, mare survival reached 97% (36/37) with foal survival at 72% (21/29), whereas cases occurring at or beyond 320 days showed substantially poorer outcomes at 65% mare survival (17/26) and only 32% foal survival (8/25). Remarkably, of 30 mares discharged carrying a viable fetus following correction, 83% (25/30) subsequently delivered live foals surviving the neonatal period, indicating that successful surgical management with fetal viability at discharge carries an excellent prognosis. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making when advising clients; practitioners should emphasise that earlier-gestation cases warrant more optimistic prognostication and that discharge of a mare with confirmed fetal viability represents a genuinely favourable outcome for both dam and offspring.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Earlier gestational occurrence of uterine torsion carries significantly better prognosis for both mare and foal survival, so gestational age should be a key consideration when counseling clients on expected outcomes.
- •Mares discharged from hospital with viable fetuses after torsion correction have a good prognosis, with 83% delivering live foals that survive the neonatal period.
- •Early intervention for uterine torsion is critical, as outcomes worsen substantially when torsion occurs in the final months of pregnancy (≥320 days gestation).
Key Findings
- •Overall mare survival was 84% (53/63), with 97% survival when torsion occurred before 320 days gestation versus 65% when at or after 320 days gestation.
- •Overall foal survival was 54% (29/54), improving to 72% (21/29) when torsion occurred before 320 days gestation compared to 32% (8/25) at or after 320 days gestation.
- •Of 30 mares discharged with viable fetuses after correction, 83% (25/30) delivered live foals that survived beyond the neonatal period.
- •Gestational timing is a critical prognostic factor for both mare and foal survival following uterine torsion correction.