Boorman’s team found that horses most likely to develop postoperative reflux had a resection of the small intestine during surgery, longer surgery times, and gastric reflux upon arrival to the hospital. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

“Postoperative reflux can indicate stasis (lack of movement) of the intestinal tract, mechanical obstruction at an anastomosis (where intestines have been joined together after a resection during colic surgery) or adhesion site, or even an intestinal repair breakdown,” said surgical resident Sophie Boorman, BVetMed, of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

She said predicting which horses have a higher risk of developing postoperative gastric reflux might:

1. Help identify horses that will need more intense management following surgery, and
2. Help owners prepare for this expensive, potentially fatal complication.

“The perception that older horses have more complications after colic surgery is widespread and extends to postoperative reflux,” said Boorman. “This is likely because older horses tend to develop strangulating lipomas—a benign fatty tumor that can entrap and strangulate the small intestine, causing bowel devitalization and necessitating surgery