An evaluation of the haemostatic suture in hysterotomy closure in the mare

This study was designed to evaluate the haemostatic suture as a means of pr eventing haemorrhage from the hysterotomy in mares after caesarean section. At 2 university hospitals 1982-1994, 48 mares had caesarean section for dy stocia, 10 as an elective, and 8 mares concurrently with colic surgery. The haemostatic suture was used in 31 of 66 mares (47%) and surgery period was significantly (P<0.05) shorter when it was not applied. Anaemia (PCV<30%) was recorded in 13 (22%) of 58 mares, excluding the colic group, and the ha emostatic suture did not after this proportion of mares that had anaemia. A naemia was 5 times more probable following caesarean section than vaginal d elivery, evidence that bleeding from the hysterotomy is a serious and commo n complication of caesarean section in mares, Severe uterine haemorrhage wa s recorded in 3 mares that had an haemostatic suture (10%) and in 2 mares t hat did not (6%). The latter two mares died of haemorrhage. The suture, the refore did not eliminate post operative anaemia and severe uterine haemorrh age. If omitted, the hysterotomy should be closed with a full thickness pat tern that is sufficiently tight to compress vessels in the uterine wall.