Effect of Pre- and Postoperative Phenylbutazone and Morphine Administration on the Breathing Response to Skin Incision, Recovery Quality, Behavior, and Cardiorespiratory Variables in Horses Undergoing Fetlock Arthroscopy: A Pilot Study.
Abstract: This prospective blinded randomized study aimed to determine whether the timing of morphine and phenylbutazone administration affects the breathing response to skin incision, recovery quality, behavior, and cardiorespiratory variables in horses undergoing fetlock arthroscopy. Ten Standardbred horses were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IM) and romifidine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IV). Anesthesia was induced with diazepam (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) IV at T0. Horses in group PRE (n = 5) received morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and phenylbutazone (2.2 mg kg(-1)) IV after induction and an equivalent amount of saline after surgery. Horses in group POST (n = 5) received the inversed treatment. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane 2% in 100% oxygen. Hypotension (mean arterial pressure <60 mmHg) was treated with dobutamine. All horses breathed spontaneously. Dobutamine requirements, respiratory rate (f R), heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, inspired (i) and expired (e) tidal and minute volume (V T and [Formula: see text]), inspiratory time (IT), and the inspiratory gas flow (V Ti/IT) were measured every 5 min. Data were averaged during four 15 min periods before (P1 and P2) and after the incision (P3 and P4). Serial blood-gas analyses were also performed. Recoveries were unassisted, video recorded, and scored by three anesthetists blinded to the treatment. The postoperative behavior of the horses (25 demeanors), HR, and f R were recorded at three time points before induction (T0-24 h, T0-12 h, and T0-2 h) and six time points after recovery (TR) (TR + 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 h). Data were compared between groups using a Wilcoxon test and within groups using a Friedman test or a Kruskal-Wallis signed-rank test when applicable. Tidal volumes (V Te and V Ti) were higher in PRE than in POST during all the considered periods but the difference between groups was only significant during P2 (V Te in mL kg(-1) in PRE: 13 [9, 15], in POST: 9 [8, 9], p = 0.01). None of the other variables were significantly different between and within groups. Under our experimental conditions, skin incision did not affect respiratory variables. Administration of pre- versus postoperative phenylbutazone and morphine did not influence recovery quality, HR, f R, or animal behavior.
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The pilot study investigates whether the timing of pain relief medication, specifically morphine and phenylbutazone, affects the respiratory response during surgical procedures, recovery, behaviour, and physiological variables in horses. The study found no significant difference in responses, regardless of when the medication was given.
Methodology
The trial involved ten Standardbred horses, who were divided into two groups – PRE and POST – representing the timing of their medication relative to surgery.
All horses underwent fetlock arthroscopy, a procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems in horses.
Pain relief medication was administered either before (PRE group) or after surgery (POST group).
The PRE group was given morphine and phenylbutazone immediately after induction of anesthesia, whereas the POST group received the same medication after surgery.
Physiological variables such as respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, and tidal volume were collected at regular intervals during and after the procedure.
Data were examined in four 15-minute periods before and after the surgery.
The recovery process was assessed by three anesthetists through video recordings. The postoperative behavior of the horses, including their heart rates, and respiratory rates were monitored at various time intervals.
The data was then compared between the two groups using statistical methods.
Findings
Tidal volume, the amount of air that moves in or out of the lungs during a single breath, was found to be higher in the PRE group than the POST group during the periods considered, but only significantly so during the second period (P2).
No significant differences were found between or within the groups for any of the other variables, such as recovery quality, heart rate, respiratory rate, or behavioral changes.
The study suggests that the timing of pain relief medication did not affect the respiratory response during and after surgery.
Conclusion
This study shows that the timing of administration of phenylbutazone and morphine does not significantly influence the respiratory response to surgery, recovery quality, or animal behavior in horses.
The researchers conclude that the skin incision, a common step in surgical procedures, did not affect respiratory variables under the conditions of their experiment.
This research could help inform best practice when managing pain relief in horses undergoing such procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Conde Ruiz C, Cruz Benedetti IC, Guillebert I, Portier KG.
(2015).
Effect of Pre- and Postoperative Phenylbutazone and Morphine Administration on the Breathing Response to Skin Incision, Recovery Quality, Behavior, and Cardiorespiratory Variables in Horses Undergoing Fetlock Arthroscopy: A Pilot Study.
Front Vet Sci, 2, 58.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00058
Anaesthesiology, Pôle Equin, VetAgro Sup, Lyon University , Marcy L´Etoile , France.
Cruz Benedetti, Inga-Catalina
Anaesthesiology, Pôle Equin, VetAgro Sup, Lyon University , Marcy L´Etoile , France.
Guillebert, Isabelle
Anaesthesiology, Pôle Equin, VetAgro Sup, Lyon University , Marcy L´Etoile , France.
Portier, Karine Genevieve
Anaesthesiology, Pôle Equin, VetAgro Sup, Lyon University , Marcy L´Etoile , France ; CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM UMR-1060, University of Lyon , Lyon , France.
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