Management of Post-Surgical Adhesions in Horses: Professional Experience from Sokoto State Equine Practice

Post-surgical intestinal adhesions are a major cause of recurrent colic and poor long-term prognosis in horses following abdominal surgery, representing a significant management challenge for equine practitioners in resource-limited settings. This study reviews professional experience with the management of post-surgical adhesions in horses at equine practice facilities in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria, between January 2021 and December 2023. Retrospective case record analysis identified 18 horses with confirmed post-surgical adhesion-related complications following exploratory laparotomy for colic. Clinical histories, surgical records, management approaches, and long-term outcomes were reviewed. Fibrinous adhesions involving the small intestine were the most commonly identified type in 72% of cases. Signs of recurrent colic were typically observed within 21 to 60 days of the index laparotomy. Medical management with anti-inflammatory therapy and gut motility modifiers was employed in 10 cases, while 8 required re-laparotomy for adhesiolysis. Carboxymethylcellulose-based anti-adhesion membranes were applied intraoperatively in 5 cases during primary surgery at facilities with access to the product. Long-term survival beyond 12 months was achieved in 56% of managed horses. These findings highlight the need for primary anti-adhesion strategies during equine colic surgery in Sokoto State facilities and underscore the importance of professional collaboration with referral centers in reducing adhesion-related morbidity in the North West equine population. Keywords: intestinal adhesions, equine surgery, post-surgical colic, Sokoto State, adhesiolysis.