Preoperative septic peritonitis, hypotension, and reason for surgery are risk factors for small intestine dehiscence in dogs: a directed acyclic graph approach

• DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.12.0791
• Publication Date: 2025-04-16T13:47:28Z
• Authors: Pablo A. Donati; Marcela Tunesi; Diego A. Portela; Elizabeth A. Maxwell; Juan Pablo Campana; Juan Pablo Reina; Matías Leydet; Gonzalo Sahagian; Agostina Ferreri; Juan Martín Pallero; Julián Piñeyro; David Alzate; Nestor Nigro; Pablo E. Otero
• Keywords: Wound dehiscence

To evaluate risk factors for postoperative intestinal dehiscence, adjusting potential confounders identified through directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A retrospective cohort study was conducted of dogs undergoing small surgery at a private referral center between July 2011 and 2024. Directed were used to identify factors, confounders, mediators, with regression models developed adjust these confounders. total 55 included in the study. Of these, 11 (20%) dehiscence. After time from clinical signs reason surgery, preoperative septic peritonitis (PSP) had higher odds dehiscence compared those without PSP (OR, 40.7; 95% CI, 4.4 2,142). PSP, hypotensive events during hospitalization hypotension 15.6; 1.2 975). Additionally, foreign body removal lower experiencing other reasons 0.2; 0.0 0.9). Serum albumin concentration, enterectomy, vasopressor use not independently associated DAGs multiple along mediators. Regression analysis confirmed that events, type independent Close monitoring careful blood pressure management may help reduce