OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of prolonged anesthesia with desflurane in dogs undergoing laparotomy or abdominal laparoscopy.

DESIGN:

Randomized prospective study.

ANIMALS:

20 adult mixed-breed dogs.

PROCEDURE:

Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups with 10 dogs/group. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with desflurane and fentanyl, and pyloroplasty was performed. In 10 dogs, a ventral midline laparotomy was performed; in the other 10, abdominal laparoscopy was performed. Dogs were monitored for cardiovascular and respiratory responses (ECG, oxygen saturation [SpO2], arterial blood pressure, rectal temperature, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PETCO2], and expired desflurane concentration). Recovery times were recorded.

RESULTS:

Mean +/- SD duration of anesthesia was 201 +/- 25 minutes for dogs undergoing laparotomy and 287 +/- 15 minutes for dogs undergoing laparoscopy. Anesthesia was accompanied by hypotension that was less severe in dogs undergoing laparoscopy. Heart rate did not vary significantly during anesthesia. The SpO2 was > 97% in all dogs at all times, and PETCO2 remained within reference limits. Recovery times for dogs that underwent laparotomy were not significantly different from those for dogs that underwent laparoscopy. Mean +/- SD time to standing was 13.6 +/- 2.4 minutes for dogs that underwent laparotomy and 12.5 +/- 2.9 minutes for dogs that underwent laparoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Results suggest that induction of anesthesia with propofol and maintenance with desflurane and fentanyl is safe in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery.