Surgical Complications of Colic Surgery

Colic is one of the most common and challenging problems that equine practitioners encounter. Although the majority of horses with colic can be treated with medical management, up to 10% of horses with colic require surgical intervention. The decision for surgery is often straightforward based on historical and diagnostic information. However, some horses require further diagnostics and observation to determine if surgery is needed. Surgical intervention can be life saving. However, complications may arise during surgery, in the immediate postoperative period, or during long-term management, and often require further surgical intervention or medical management. This article addresses some of the most common surgical complications of abdominal surgery for colic to help prevent, recognize, and treat these complications.