Table S1.

Descriptive statistics for variables evaluated for their association with development of incisional complications at any
point after exploratory celiotomy through ventral celiotomies closed with 7PD.
Variable Grouping Specific variables: explanation and category codes Observations Mean
(%) (SD)

Signalment and history Breed groups:

(73 horses) (1) Thoroughbred-type (Thoroughbred, Standardbred and 18 (24.7)
Thoroughbred cross) 6 (8.2)
(2) Warmblood, Warmblood cross 17 (23.3)
(3) Arabian, Morgan, American Saddlebred 21 (28.8)
(4) Quarter horse-type (Paint, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa) 5 (6.8)
(5) Draft 1 (1.4)
(6) Other non-draft breed 5 (6.8)
(7) Unknown

Age groups* 9.4 (5.9)

(1) ≤1 year 3 (4.1)
(2) 2-5 years 18 (24.7)
(3) 6-15 years 42 (57.3)
(4) >15 year 10 (13.7)

Body weight groups (kg)* 513

(1) <400 5 (6.8) (113)
(2) 401-600 56 (76.7)
(3) >600 11 (15.1)
(4) Data missing 1 (1.4)

Sex
Mare 33 (45.2)
Gelding 28 (38.3)
Stallion 12 (16.4)

Previous celiotomy 5 (6.8)

Preoperative physical examination findings, Heart rate (beats/minute)* 55.5
treatments and clinical pathology (1) <48 21 (28.7) (16.4)
(73 horses) (2) >48 51 (69.9)
(3) Data missing 1 (1.4)

Rectal temperature (°C) 37.6

(1) <36.7 10 (13.4) (0.8)
(2) 36.8-38.4 52 (71.2)
(3) >38.4 5 (6.8)
(4) Data missing 5 (6.8)

Packed cell volume (%) 40.8

(1) <28 1 (1.4) (8.8)
(2) 28-44 40 (54.8)
(3) >44 19 (26.0)
(4) Data missing 13 (17.8)

Total serum solids (g/dl) 7.3 (0.8)

(1) <5.5 1 (1.4)
(2) 5.5-7.4 37 (50.7)
(3) >7.4 22 (30.1)
(4) Data missing 13 (17.8)

Surgery and anesthesia Length of surgery (minutes)* 123.8

(75 celiotomies) (1) <99 31 (41.3) (60.1)
(2) ≥100 44 (58.7)

Predominate surgical lesion groups

(1) Large intestinal only 57 (76.0)
(2) Small intestinal only 10 (13.3)
(3) Other (i.e. stomach, reproductive tract) 3 (4.0)
(4) Large and small intestinal 2 (2.7)
(5) Small colon 3 (4.0)

Enterotomy performed other than resection and anastomosis 32 (42.7)

Small intestinal resection and anastomosis performed 9 (12.0)

Suture to close subcutaneous tissue

(1) Poliglecaprone 51 (68.0)
 (2) Polydioxanone 22 (29.3)
(3) Unknown (not described in surgical record) 2 (2.7)

Closure of skin
(1) Stainless steel skin staples 74 (98.7)
(2) USP 2-0 poliglecaprone 1 (1.3)

Covering of surgical wound for recovery

(1) Opsite 18 (24.0)
(2) Ioban™ 1 (1.3)
(3) Stent 9 (12.0)
(4) Unknown (not described in surgical record) 47 (62.7)

Time from extubation to standing in minutes* 72.4

(1) <60 20 (26.7) (59.1)
(2) >60 20 (26.7)
(3) >120 5 (6.6)
(4) Data missing 30 (40.0)

Anesthesia recovery score (definition)

(1) Excellent: standing smoothly in one attempt 4 (5.3)
(2) Good: 1-2 attempts to stand 21 (28.0)
(3) Fair: 2-4 attempts to stand 2 (2.7)
(4) Poor: more than 5 attempts to stand 0 (0.0)
(5) Hand-recovered 1 (1.3)
(6) Data missing 47 (62.7)

Postoperative Number of days hospitalized

Findings (1) 3-7 37 (50.6)
(73 horses) (2) 8-10 18 (24.7)
(3) >10 18 (24.7)

Perioperative white blood cell count (1x103cells/μl) 6.87

(1) <6,000 22 (30.1) (4.2)
(2) 6001-16,000 26 (35.6)
(3) >16,000 2 (2.7)
(4) Data missing 23 (31.5)

Postoperative treatments Initial type of antibiotic administered after surgery

(73 horses) (1) Penicillin and gentamicin 64 (87.7)
(2) Penicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole 6 (8.3)
 (3) Ceftiofur 1 (1.4)
(4) None 2 (2.7)

Number of days antibiotics were administered

(1) 0-5 39 (53.4)
(2) >5 32 (43.8)

Abdominal bandage placed postoperatively 18 (24.7)

Abdominal drain placed postoperatively 5 (6.8)

Postoperative fever (>38.4°C) 35 (47.9)

Number of consecutive days with fever (>38.4°C) noted

postoperatively 38 (52.0)
(1) None 23 (31.5)
(2) 1-3 12 (16.4)
(3) >4
Non-incisional postoperative complications
(73 horses) Postop complications: Colic 9 (12.3)

Postop complications: Nasogastric reflux 7 (9.6)

Postop complications: Diarrhea 14 (19.2)

Postop complications: Laminitis 2 (2.7)

Postop complications: Respiratory 14 (19.2)

*Variable also evaluated as a continuous variable.