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Data were obtained on unstimulated healthy horses and extrapolation to clinical conditions requires caution.

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Summary: The objective of this study was to compare anaesthetic recoveries without assistance (group NA) to a head and tail rope-assisted technique (group A) after emergency abdominal surgery in horses. Additionally, possible risk factors for the quality of recovery (S: safe, NS: non-safe) were investigated and possible complications associated to the head and tail rope technique recorded. For that purpose 200 anaesthetic protocols (100 NA, 100 A) from horses that all received a standardised medetomidine-isoflurane balanced anaesthesia regime and medetomidine in combination with morphine for recovery were analysed retrospectively. No significant difference regarding recovery score was detected between NA and A horses. Fatalitalities (3/100 in each group) were similarly distributed between groups. However, in group NA only one horse died because of trauma during recovery. The other two horses died before attempting to stand up. All 3 horses that died in group A were euthanized because of trauma. Hypoxemia (defined as arterial oxygen partial pressure < 60 mmHg) during anaesthesia was a risk factor for non-safe recoveries. No influence was detected for age, weight, duration of general anaesthesia, reason of colic surgery, recovery technique (A, NA), hypotension during anaesthesia, time in lateral recumbency, time in sternal recumbency and time until standing. Several technical complications (material fail, twisting of ropes, halters slipping off and loss of ropes) were observed using the head and tail ropes, probably being partially responsible for the unexpectedly high number of dangerous and fatal recoveries observed in group A. The present study could not demonstrate that the head and tail rope technique can reduce fatalities or improve anaesthetic recovery scores after emergency abdominal surgery in horses. Hypoxemia during general anaesthesia increases the risk of non-safe recovery.Keywords: recovery, head and tail rope, horse, colic surgery, general anaesthesia Citation: Rüegg M., Bettschart-Wolfensberger R., Hartnack S., Junge H. K., Theiss F., Ringer S. K. (2016) Comparison of non-assisted versus head and tail rope-assisted recovery after emergency abdominal surgery in horses. Pferdeheilkunde 32,[469][470][471][472][473][474][475][476][477][478]

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Objective  To determine, in mildly hypercapnic horses under isoflurane–medetomidine balanced anaesthesia, whether there is a difference in cardiovascular function between spontaneous ventilation (SV) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Study design  Prospective randomized clinical study. Animals  Sixty horses, undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia: ASA classification I or II. Methods  Horses were sedated with medetomidine and anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and a constant rate infusion of medetomidine. Horses were assigned to either SV or IPPV for the duration of anaesthesia. Horses in group IPPV were maintained mildly hypercapnic (arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) 50–60 mmHg, 6.7–8 kPa). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was maintained above 70 mmHg by an infusion of dobutamine administered to effect. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), arterial blood pressure and inspiratory and expiratory gases were monitored continuously. A bolus of ketamine was administered when horses showed nystagmus. Cardiac output was measured using lithium dilution. Arterial blood‐gas analysis was performed regularly. Recovery time was noted and recovery quality scored. Results  There were no differences between groups concerning age, weight, body position during anaesthesia and anaesthetic duration. Respiratory rate was significantly higher in group IPPV. Significantly more horses in group IPPV received supplemental ketamine. There were no other significant differences between groups. All horses recovered from anaesthesia without complications. Conclusions  There was no difference in cardiovascular function in horses undergoing elective surgery during isoflurane–medetomidine anaesthesia with SV in comparison with IPPV, provided the horses are maintained slightly hypercapnic. Clinical relevance  In horses with health status ASA I and II, cardiovascular function under general anaesthesia is equal with or without IPPV if the PaCO2 is maintained at 50–60 mmHg.