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Tilt Table Recovery of Horses After Orthopedic Surgery: Fifty‐Four Cases (1994–2005)
Author(s) -
ELMAS COLETTE R.,
CRUZ ANTONIO M.,
KERR CAROLYN L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2007.00260.x
Subject(s) - medicine , orthopedic surgery , surgery , anesthetic , anesthesia , internal fixation , medical record
Objective— To describe an assisted anesthetic recovery technique using a tilt table for horses after high‐risk orthopedic‐related procedures and to evaluate outcome. Study Design— Retrospective study. Sample Population— Anesthetic recoveries (n=54) for 36 horses. Methods— Medical records (April 1994–October 2005) for horses that had high‐risk orthopedic surgery and recovery from general anesthesia on a tilt table were reviewed. Information about the surgical procedure, anesthetic and recovery period was analyzed. Results— Of 54 anesthetic recoveries, 1 horse (1.9%) had complete failure of internal fixation during recovery and was euthanatized. Six (11% recoveries) horses failed to adapt to the tilt table system, which necessitated transfer to a conventional recovery room. Complications without important consequences for clinical outcome (skin abrasions, myositis, cast breakage, partial implant failure) occurred during 8 (15%) recoveries. Conclusions— A tilt table recovery system was associated with minimal incidence of serious complications. Potential disadvantages of the system are the number of personnel required, longer recovery time, and the need for a specialized table. Clinical Relevance— A tilt table is a useful system for recovering horses believed to be at increased risk of injury during anesthetic recovery after high‐risk orthopedic‐related procedures.