References

Bortolami E, Love EJ. Practical use of opioids in cats: a state-of-the-art, evidence-based review. J Feline Med Surg.. 2015; 17:(4)283-311 https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15572970

Brodbelt DC, Blissitt KJ, Hammond RA, Neath PJ, Young LE, Pfeiffer DU, Wood JLN. The risk of death: the confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities. Vet Anaesth Analg.. 2008; 35:(5)365-373 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00397.x

Cheyne M. Recovery of the anesthetic patient., 1st edn. In: Bryant S Iowa: Blackwell Publishing; 2010

Ellis J, Leece EA. Nebulized adrenaline in the postoperative management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in a pug. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc.. 2017; 53:(2)107-110 https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6466

Fenner JVH, Henderson CC, Demetriou JL. Nebulised adrenaline in the post-operative management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs: short-term outcomes in 90 cases (2014–2020). N Z Vet J.. 2023; 71:(6)329-336 https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2023.2248053

Franklin PH, Liu NC, Ladlow JF. Nebulization of epinephrine to reduce the severity of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs. Vet Surg.. 2021; 50:(1)62-70 https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13523

Hohenfellner R. Re: A surgical safety checklist to reduce morbidity and mortality in a global population. Eur Urol.. 2009; 56:(2) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2009.05.038

Jolliffe C. Ophthalmic surgery., 3rd edn. In: Duke-Novakovski T, de Vries M, Seymour C Gloucester: BSAVA; 2016

Kata C, Rowland S, Goldberg M. Pain recognition in companion species, horses, and livestock.. In: Goldberg M, Shaffran N Iowa: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2015

Lindsay B, Cook D, Wetzel J-M, Siess S, Moses P. Brachycephalic airway syndrome: management of post-operative respiratory complications in 248 dogs. Aust Vet J.. 2020; 98:(5)173-180 https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12926

Mosing M. General principles of perioperative care., 3rd edn. In: Duke-Novakovski T, de Vries M, Seymour C Gloucester: BSAVA; 2016

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Code of professional conduct for veterinary surgeons. 2023. https//www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinarysurgeons/supporting-guidance/

Scales C. Anaesthesia recovery., 1st edn. In: Clancy N Chichester: John Wiley Sons, Ltd; 2023

Shoop-Worrall SJW, O’Neill DG, Viscasillas J, Brodbelt DC. Mortality related to general anaesthesia and sedation in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Vet Anaesth Analg.. 2022; 49:(5)433-442 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2022.03.006

Wolfe KL, Hofmeister EH. Scoping review of quality of anesthetic induction and recovery scales used for dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg.. 2021; 48:(6)823-840 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2021.07.001

Anaesthesiology

The recovery period

02 October 2023
Clinical
9 mins read
02 October 2023
Volume 14 · Issue 8
Figure 2. A patient recovering in sternal with their head raised above their thorax and resting comfortably on a rolled-up blanket
Figure 2. A patient recovering in sternal with their head raised above their thorax and resting comfortably on a rolled-up blanket

Abstract

Recovery from anaesthesia begins when the maintenance agent is discontinued and the patient starts to regain consciousness. The importance of patient monitoring throughout the recovery period should not be underestimated and no matter the patient or procedure, individual risks for the recovery period should be identified and mitigated. Each patient will recover differently from their anaesthetic experience. How the pre-anaesthesia, induction and maintenance phases of the anaesthesia have been prepared and planned will contribute to how the patient will recover.

Recovery from anaesthesia begins when the maintenance agent is discontinued and the patient starts to regain consciousness. The importance of patient monitoring throughout the recovery period should not be underestimated, as numerous studies in both human and veterinary medicine have looked at the increased risk of morbidity and mortality during this part of the patient's anaesthetic experience.

The Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Small Animal Fatalities (Brodbelt et al, 2008) is frequently referred to when discussing risk factors in anaesthesia that contribute to morbidity and mortality. Whilst this study was published over 15 years ago, it is still valuable to reference because of its large multi-species study population. It found that the postoperative period, or recovery period, was the highest risk period of the entire anaesthesia experience; with 47% of dog, 61% of cat and 64% of rabbit fatalities occurring during this time (Brodbelt et al, 2008).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

Anaesthesia
monitoring
recovery