Short-Term Complications After Colic Surgery in Geriatric Versus Mature Non-Geriatric Horses

Objective To compare in geriatric and mature horses the occurrence of short‐term complications and short‐term outcome associated with complications after colic surgery. Study Design Retrospective case–control study. Sample Population Horses aged ≥20 years (geriatric, n = 78) and 4–15 years (mature non‐geriatric, n = 156) that had exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived recovery from general anesthesia. Methods Medical records (2000–2010) of horses that recovered from general anesthesia after colic surgery were reviewed. Postoperative complications evaluated included postoperative reflux (POR), diarrhea, inappetence, fever, leukopenia, incisional infection, incisional dehiscence, thrombophlebitis, colic, repeat celiotomy, pneumonia, and laminitis. Short‐term outcome (alive vs. dead at hospital discharge) of geriatric and mature horses with these complications were compared. Data were analyzed using a χ2 or Fisher's exact test or an ANOVA. Level of significance P