title: Neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium bromide for ophthalmic surgery in horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The production of a central eye to ease surgical access for intraocular surgery is generally dependent on the depth of anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the eyeball position under muscle relaxation with rocuronium during general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty horses, body weight 480 ± 62 kg; age 12.6 ± 6.2 years (mean ± SD) were anesthetised for various ophthalmic surgeries. Horses were premedicated with acepromazine, xylazine, and butorphanol intravenously and anesthesia induced with ketamine and diazepam. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen and 0.6 mL/kg/h of an infusion containing midazolam, ketamine, and xylazine diluted in 500 mL 0.9% NaCl. Horses were mechanically ventilated. Neuromuscular function was assessed with an acceleromyograph (TOF-Guard®) and the N. peroneus superficialis was stimulated every 15 s with a train-of-four stimulation pattern. A dose of 0.3 mg/kg rocuronium was administered intravenously. The changes in the eyeball position were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dose of 0.3 mg/kg rocuronium produced a 100% neuromuscular block in all horses. Onset time and clinical duration of block was 2.38 ± 2.02 min (range 0.5-8) and 32 ± 18.6 min (range 7.7-76.2), respectively. The globe rotated to central position within 31 ± 2.8 s. The whole iris was visible after 42 ± 7.7 s in all horses. No additional bolus of rocuronium was necessary for any surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium bromide can be used safely to facilitate ophthalmic surgery in equines.
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria. ulrike.auer@vetmeduni.ac.at
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Auer
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Moens
mesh_terms: D000732:Androstanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000662:veterinary*; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000662:veterinary*; D000077123:Rocuronium
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D000077123:Rocuronium