Evaluation of an anaesthetic technique used in dogs undergoing craniectomy for tumour resection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a total intravenous anaesthetic technique in dogs undergoing craniectomy.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Ten dogs admitted for elective surgical resection of rostro-tentorial tumours.


METHODS
All dogs were premedicated with methadone, 0.2 mg kg(-1) intramuscularly 30 minutes prior to induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol administered intravenously (IV) to effect, following administration of lidocaine 1 mg kg(-1) IV and maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol at < or =0.4 mg kg(-1) minute(-1) during instrumentation and preparation and during movement of the animals to recovery. During surgery, anaesthesia was maintained using a continuous infusion of propofol at <or =0.4 mg kg(-1) minute(-1) and alfentanil < or =1 microg kg(-1) minute(-1). Lidocaine was administered at 1 mg kg(-1) IV immediately prior to extubation. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded prior to induction and every 5 minutes throughout preparation and surgery. Central venous pressure was recorded every 5 minutes throughout surgery.


RESULTS
Administration of propofol and lidocaine prevented significant increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and HR during endotracheal intubation and extubation. Adequate MAP was maintained throughout anaesthesia. Recovery was smooth and excitement free. There was no association between duration of anaesthesia, total drugs administered, or severity of neurological disease and recovery times. Postoperatively there was no deterioration in neurological function in the immediate postoperative period with complete resolution of pre-existing neurological deficits within 7 days of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique provided minimal response to intubation and extubation, adequate arterial blood pressure and a smooth predictable recovery. All animals were neurologically improved by the time of discharge, suggesting that this technique had not caused significant neuronal damage.


CONCLUSIONS
Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil appears to be a satisfactory anaesthetic technique for use in dogs undergoing surgery for debulking/removal of rostro-tentorial tumours.
Raisis
Anthea L
AL
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia. a.raisis@murdoch.edu.au
Leece
Elizabeth A
EA
Platt
Simon R
SR
Adams
Vicki J
VJ
Corletto
Federico
F
Brearley
Jackie
J
D015760:Alfentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D015760:Alfentanil; D015742:Propofol