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Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia2015; 43(2); 171-178; doi: 10.1111/vaa.12285

Twenty years later: a single-centre, repeat retrospective analysis of equine perioperative mortality and investigation of recovery quality.

Abstract: To determine the mortality rates associated with equine anaesthesia for elective and emergency (colic and non-colic) cases in one equine, university teaching hospital and to investigate the effect of several horse- and anaesthetic-related variables on anaesthetic recovery quality. Methods: Retrospective data analysis. Unassigned: In total, 1416 horses undergoing anaesthesia between May 2010 and December 2013. Methods: Patient information and details of the anaesthetic, recovery period and immediate complications were extracted from an archiving database. Statistical evaluation of factors affecting mortality included chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression. Factors affecting recovery quality were investigated using univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Anaesthesia/recovery-related mortality was 1.1% for all cases, 0.9% for elective cases, 1.6% for colics and 0% for non-colic emergencies. Fractures and dislocations accounted for the majority (71.4%) of deaths. No intra-operative deaths occurred during the study period. Risk factors for mortality included increasing age and American Society of Anesthesiologist's (ASA) status but these and other factors were confounded by 'colic'. Non-fatal complications in the immediate recovery period included postanaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy and postanaesthetic respiratory obstruction. Recovery quality was associated with body mass (p = 0.016), ASA status 3 and 4 (p = 0.020 and 0.002, respectively), duration of anaesthesia (p < 0.001) and out-of-hours anaesthesia (p = 0.013). Although recovery quality was also influenced by age and breed-type, these factors were removed from the final model as age was highly associated with both ASA status (p < 0.001) and colic surgery (p < 0.001), and breed-type was a determinant of body mass. Conclusions: Anaesthetic/recovery-associated mortality was comparable to previously reported figures except intra-operative deaths were not reported. Fractures remained responsible for the largest proportion of recovery-associated deaths. Improvements to the recovery process that can reduce fracture occurrence are still required.
© 2015 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
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Publication Date: 2015-06-15 PubMed ID: 26081190DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12285Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is a comprehensive study that examines the equine perioperative mortality rates at a university teaching hospital. It also scrutinizes various factors that may influence the quality of anaesthetic recovery in horses.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved a retrospective analysis of 1,416 horses that underwent anaesthesia between May 2010 and December 2013.
  • Patient data along with details of the anaesthesia, recovery period, and immediate complications were extracted from a database. This information was subsequently analyzed using statistical tests such as chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression.
  • Factors potentially impacting recovery quality were evaluated through univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Study Findings

  • The mortality rate related to anaesthesia and recovery was found to be 1.1% for all cases, 0.9% for elective cases, and 1.6% for colic cases. No deaths were observed for non-colic emergency cases.
  • Majority of deaths (71.4%) were due to fractures and dislocations. No intra-operative deaths occurred during the study period.
  • Age and American Society of Anesthesiologist’s (ASA) status were identified as risk factors for mortality, but these findings were influenced by the incidence of ‘colic’.
  • Non-fatal complications observed during the immediate recovery phase included postanaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy and postanaesthetic respiratory obstruction.
  • The quality of recovery was found to be influenced by body mass, ASA status 3 and 4, duration of anaesthesia, and out-of-hours anaesthesia.
  • Although age and breed-type affected recovery quality, these factors were removed in the final model due to a high association with ASA status and surgery for colic.

Study Conclusion

  • The anaesthetic/recovery-associated mortality rate was comparable to figures reported in previous studies, with the remarkable exception of zero intra-operative deaths.
  • Fractures were the leading cause of recovery-associated deaths, suggesting a need for improved recovery protocol to minimize fracture occurrence.

Cite This Article

APA
Dugdale AH, Obhrai J, Cripps PJ. (2015). Twenty years later: a single-centre, repeat retrospective analysis of equine perioperative mortality and investigation of recovery quality. Vet Anaesth Analg, 43(2), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12285

Publication

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
ISSN: 1467-2995
NlmUniqueID: 100956422
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Pages: 171-178

Researcher Affiliations

Dugdale, Alexandra H A
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK.
Obhrai, Jessica
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK.
Cripps, Peter J
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Anesthesia Recovery Period
  • Anesthesia, General / mortality
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Colic / mortality
  • Colic / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / mortality
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.
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