COMPARISON OF LIBERAL AND GOAL-DIRECTED FLUID THERAPY IN HORSES AFTER SMALL INTESTINAL SURGERY: A PILOT STUDY

Background: Fluids administration in the perioperative period is paramount in colic surgery. Nevertheless, there is an ongoing debate since it is challenging to reach the right balance and avoid complications induced by over-hydration. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) of “liberal” fluid regimens in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery. Methods: 18 horses submitted to small intestinal surgery that recovered from anaesthesia were enrolled and matched according to the surgical lesion, type of anastomosis, length of resection, and duration of symptoms. Horses in the ‘liberal’ group were administered IV fluids for at least 24 h at a minimum rate of 2 mL/kg/h plus integration for fluid losses. In the ‘GDFT’ group, IV fluids were administered only when considered necessary based on clinical and haematological parameters. Other treatments were limited to flunixin meglumine, ranitidine, calcium and antibiotics. Post-operative reflux (POR), packed cell volume, total protein, heart rate, venous lactate concentration and complication rate were compared, as well as short-term survival rates. Results: Three horses in the ‘liberal’ and 1 horse in the ‘GDFT’ group developed POR. All tested parameters were not fine indicators for hydration status although they resulted not different between groups. Post-operative complication rate and survival were not different between groups (2/13 horses died before discharge in each group). Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to set guidelines for evaluation of the hydration status and to plan post-operative fluid administration in a clinical setting, but GDFT may be considered as an approach for fluid therapy after colic surgery.