Use of a pool-raft system for recovery of horses from general anesthesia: 393 horses (1984-2000).
Abstract: To describe the pool-raft recovery system protocol and to evaluate the clinical outcome in horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia using this system. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 393 horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia in the pool-raft system. Methods: Anesthetic records were examined from horses recovered from anesthesia in the pool-raft system between January 1984 and December 2000. Complete medical records of horses were examined when available. Information regarding the anesthetic and recovery period was recorded. Horses first recovered from general anesthesia in the pool-raft and, once awake, were transported to a recovery stall and lowered to the floor in a standing position. Results: 351 horses underwent 1 pool-raft recovery, and 42 horses underwent multiple pool-raft recoveries. Most horses were recovered from general anesthesia within the pool-raft system to safeguard repair of a major orthopedic injury. During 471 pool-raft recoveries, 34 (7%) horses had complications within the recovery pool and 62 (13%) had complications within the recovery stall. Deaths resulted from complete failure of internal fixation, pulmonary dysfunction, or a combination of pulmonary dysfunction and fixation failure in 2% (10/471) of horses that underwent pool-raft recoveries. Conclusions: The pool-raft system is a good option for recovery from general anesthesia. Although not a fail-safe system, it appears to decrease the complications of recovering horses in a high-risk category. Potential disadvantages of this system are added expense and manpower necessary in building, maintenance, and usage, as well as size limitations of the raft itself.
Publication Date: 2002-10-09 PubMed ID: 12369680DOI: 10.2460/javma.2002.221.1014Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper presents a study on the use of a pool-raft recovery system for equine recovery after general anesthesia, highlighting the overall effectiveness of the method despite the occurrence of certain complications and associated costs.
Objectives and Methodology
The primary goal of the research was to assess the effectiveness and challenges of the pool-raft recovery system used for reviving horses from general anesthesia. This was a retrospective investigation involving 393 horses who underwent recovery processes in the pool-raft system between 1984 and 2000. The assessment methodology involved the meticulous review of anesthetic reports and complete medical records for the involved horses, where applicable. Key elements under review included information pertaining to the anesthetic and recovery period for these horses.
- After general anesthesia, horses were initially given time to recover in the pool-raft. Once conscious, they were moved to a recovery stall and lowered to a standing position on the floor.
Results
The team’s findings showed that a majority of the horses were successfully recovered from general anesthesia using the pool-raft system. This was primarily used to ensure the successful repair of significant orthopedic injuries.
- This study involved 471 separate pool-raft recovery instances. Of these, there were 34 cases (equivalent to 7%) where horses experienced complications within the recovery pool. This rate escalated to 13% (or 62 cases) once horses were moved to the recovery stall.
- There were unfortunate deaths reported among horses that underwent pool-raft recoveries. The death rate was at 2% (which is 10 out of 471 cases), and were attributed to issues like complete internal fixation failure, pulmonary dysfunction, or a combination of the two.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the pool-raft recovery system is an efficient technique for reviving horses from general anesthesia. Although it is not completely foolproof, it has proven to reduce complications for high-risk horses during recovery.
- Potential drawbacks of adopting this system may include additional costs and manpower needed. This is related to system configuration, maintenance, and operation. There are also size constraints related to the raft itself which may pose challenges.
Cite This Article
APA
Sullivan EK, Klein LV, Richardson DW, Ross MW, Orsini JA, Nunamaker DM.
(2002).
Use of a pool-raft system for recovery of horses from general anesthesia: 393 horses (1984-2000).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 221(7), 1014-1018.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.221.1014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia Recovery Period
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / surgery
- Immersion
- Male
- Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Lindqvist A, Nyman G, Rydén A, Wattle O. Effect of an adjustable ceiling to prevent premature rising attempts after general anesthesia in healthy ponies and horses: A pilot study. Vet Surg 2025 Jul;54(5):851-859.
- Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
- Ribitsch I, Oreff GL, Jenner F. Regenerative Medicine for Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 19;11(1).
- Niimura Del Barrio MC, David F, Hughes JML, Clifford D, Wilderjans H, Bennett R. A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia. Ir Vet J 2018;71:6.
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