Efficacy of metoclopramide for treatment of ileus in horses following small intestinal surgery: 70 cases (1989-1992).

Abstract

In this retrospective study, postoperative ileus was studied in horses having resection of the small intestine followed by a jejunojejunal (n = 35) or a jejunocaecal (n = 35) anastomosis. Twenty-six horses received no metoclopramide, 27 received metoclopramide as an intermittent intravenous infusion and 17 horses received metoclopramide as a continuous intravenous infusion (0.04 mg/kg/hour). Horses receiving a continuous infusion of metoclopramide had a reduced total volume (P < 0.001), shorter duration (P < 0.001), and a slower rate (P < 0.001) of postoperative gastric reflux, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.01) when compared to horses receiving no metoclopramide and horses receiving metoclopramide as an intermittent infusion. Horses having jejunocaecostomy performed had a larger volume (P < 0.05), longer duration (P < 0.05), and a greater rate (P < 0.05) of postoperative gastric reflux, and a longer postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.001) than horses undergoing jejunojejunostomy. Horses that had an abdominal drain placed during surgery had a longer length of intestine resected (P < 0.05) and a longer postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) than horses without an abdominal drain. Horses that died or were euthanased during the postoperative period had a greater total volume (P < 0.05), longer duration (P < 0.05), and greater rate of postoperative gastric reflux (P < 0.01), a longer length of small intestine resected (P < 0.01), and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) than horses that survived until discharge from the hospital. In a multivariate regression analysis the continuous infusion of metoclopramide was the only variable that contributed significantly to predicting the total volume (P < 0.001; r2 = 0.24), duration (P < 0.001; r2 = 0.24) and rate (P < 0.001; r2 = 0.25) of postoperative gastric reflux. We concluded that metoclopramide given as a continuous intravenous infusion decreased the incidence and severity of ileus following small intestinal resection and anastomosis in horses.

• Authors: A J Dart, J R Peauroi, D R Hodgson, J R Pascoe
• Journal: Australian veterinary journal (Aust Vet J) Vol. 74 Issue 4 Pg. 280-4 (Oct 1996) ISSN: 0005-0423 [Print] England
• PMID: 8937668 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dopamine Antagonists
• Metoclopramide

Topics

• Anastomosis, Surgical (adverse effects, veterinary)
• Animals
• Cecostomy (adverse effects, veterinary)
• Dopamine Antagonists (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Drainage (adverse effects, veterinary)
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, mortality)
• Horses
• Infusions, Intravenous (methods, veterinary)
• Intestinal Obstruction (drug therapy, etiology, mortality, veterinary)
• Intestine, Small (surgery)
• Jejunostomy (adverse effects, veterinary)
• Metoclopramide (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Postoperative Complications (drug therapy, etiology, mortality, veterinary)
• Regression Analysis
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Rate