Use of propofol-isoflurane as an anesthetic regimen for cesarean section in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate use of propofol-isoflurane as an anesthetic regimen for cesarean section in dogs and to compare this protocol with epidural analgesia and anesthesia induced with thiopental sodium.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
141 bitches admitted for cesarean section.


METHODS
General anesthesia was induced with propofol in 141 dogs undergoing cesarean section. After intubation, anesthesia was maintained by means of inhalation of isoflurane (0.5 to 2.0%), administered in a 65:35 mixture of oxygen:nitrous oxide. After induction, 20 minutes were allowed to elapse before delivery of puppies was begun. Viability of neonates was ascertained immediately after surgery. Owners were interviewed by telephone to determine survival of puppies during the postoperative period. Survival rates from this study were compared with those from cesarean section performed on dogs under epidural analgesia or under general anesthesia induced with thiopental sodium.


RESULTS
Induction, maintenance, and recovery were problem free in all bitches. Of 412 puppies delivered by cesarean section, 293 (71%) survived, 13 (3%) were born alive but died within 20 minutes of delivery, and 106 (26%) were stillborn. Survival rate for puppies from dams induced with propofol-isoflurane was similar to that for puppies from dams receiving epidural analgesia. Survival rate for puppies delivered by cesarean section performed on dams under general anesthesia was higher for dams induced with propofol than for dams induced with thiopental sodium.


CONCLUSIONS
General anesthesia induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane is acceptable for performing cesarean section in dogs.
Funkquist
P M
PM
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Nyman
G C
GC
Löfgren
A J
AJ
Fahlbrink
E M
EM
D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013874:Thiopental / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007530:Isoflurane; D013874:Thiopental; D015742:Propofol