The effect of omeprazole on oesophageal pH in dogs during anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
Intra-operative, gastro-oesophageal reflux may be associated with post-anaesthestic complications such as oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative administration of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, on oesophageal pH in anaesthetised dogs.


METHODS
Forty-seven dogs undergoing elective pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery were enrolled into the study. These were randomly allocated to treatment group (n=22) or control group (n=25). The treatment group received one dose of omeprazole (1 mg/kg po) at least 4 h before anaesthesia. All dogs were anaesthetised by the same standardised protocol. A pH probe was inserted into the distal oesophagus after induction of anaesthesia and oesophageal pH was continuously monitored.


RESULTS
In the treatment group, four animals (18 per cent) showed a sudden decrease in oesophageal pH (<4). In the control group the same phenomenon was detected in 13 animals (52 per cent). Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurred more frequently in the control group compared with the omeprazole group (odds ratio 4.7, 95 per cent C.I. 1.1 to 24.7, P=0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the preoperative administration of omeprazole is effective in reducing the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux during anaesthesia in dogs.
Panti
A
A
University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.
Bennett
R C
RC
Corletto
F
F
Brearley
J
J
Jeffery
N
N
Jeffrey
N
N
Mellanby
R J
RJ
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D009853:Omeprazole