Survival and racing performance after surgical treatment of rib fractures in foals.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of foals treated surgically for fractured ribs and variables that may affect outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

ANIMALS

Seventy-three equine neonates with surgically repaired fractured ribs.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed to include sex, breed, the side of thorax affected, number of ribs fractured, co-morbidities directly associated with rib fracture, and surgical technique used. Short-term outcome was defined as survival to discharge. Long-term outcome was whether or not they started a race. Race records of maternal siblings were obtained for comparison.

RESULTS

Seventy-three neonates underwent surgery for fractured ribs. Fifty-seven neonates (78%) survived to discharge from the hospital. Rib fractures were more commonly observed in colts and in the left hemithorax (61% and 57%, respectively). Sex, side affected, number of ribs fractured, co-morbidities, number of ribs repaired, and surgical technique did not affect the short- or long-term outcomes. Thirty-five of 57 (61%) foals treated surgically for rib fractures that survived to discharge started a race compared to 173 of 257 (67%) of maternal siblings that raced.

CONCLUSIONS

Short- and long-term outcome were not affected by co-morbidities, surgical technique, or number of fractured ribs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Neonates with surgically repaired fractured ribs had a good prognosis for survival and and those that survived had a similar chances of starting a race compared to maternal siblings.