title: Gastro-oesophageal reflux in large-sized, deep-chested versus small-sized, barrel-chested dogs undergoing spinal surgery in sternal recumbency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether an increased frequency of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is more common in large-sized, deep-chested dogs undergoing spinal surgery in sternal recumbency than in small-sized, barrelchested dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen small-sized, barrel-chested dogs (group B) and 26 large-sized, deep-chested dogs (group D).
  
  
  METHODS
  All animals were premedicated with intramuscular (IM) acepromazine (0.05 mg kg-1) and pethidine (3 mg kg-1) IM. Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous sodium thiopental and maintained with halothane in oxygen. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously after induction of anaesthesia. Gastro-oesophageal reflux was considered to have occurred whenever pH values > 7.5 or < 4 were recorded. If GOR was detected during anaesthesia, measures were taken to avoid aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs and to prevent the development of oesophagitis/oesophageal stricture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of GOR during anaesthesia was significantly higher in group D (6/26 dogs; 23.07%) than in group B (0/19 dogs; 0%) (p = 0.032). Signs indicative of aspiration pneumonia, oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture were not reported in any of the GOR cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In large-sized, deep-chested dogs undergoing spinal surgery in sternal recumbency, it would seem prudent to consider measures aimed at preventing GOR and its potentially devastating consequences (oesophagitis/oesophageal stricture, aspiration pneumonia).
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Tilemahos L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Anagnostou
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: isavas@vet.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savvas
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kostakis
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papadopoulou
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006221:Halothane; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013874:Thiopental
chemical_list: D013874:Thiopental; D006221:Halothane
keywords: deep chest; dog; gastro-oesophageal reflux; oesophagitis; sternal recumbency