Comparison of endoscopic endotracheal intubation and the v-gel supraglottic airway device for spontaneously ventilating New Zealand white rabbits undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Due to the technical difficulties with endotracheal intubation of rabbits, a prospective, randomised, controlled study was performed to compare a rabbit-specific supraglottic airway device (SGAD), the v-gel, with endoscopic endotracheal intubation (EEI) in spontaneously breathing rabbits undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

METHODS:

Fourteen adult female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated to one of two groups based on the method of airway establishment: EEI or v-gel SGAD. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and xylazine and maintained using isoflurane in 100 per cent oxygen. Comparisons were made between groups based on placement time of endotracheal tube/SGAD, number of attempts and adjustments, the necessity to increase isoflurane concentrations to maintain a surgical plane of anaesthesia, arterial blood gas values, gross laryngeal evaluation, and laryngotracheal histopathology.

RESULTS:

Both techniques resulted in elevated arterial pCO2 levels, but the v-gel was associated with more elevated pCO2 in comparison with EEI (P=0.045). Airway trauma was histologically present but clinically negligible in both groups, with no statistically significant differences observed between techniques (P>0.05). Placement time of the v-gel was significantly faster (P=0.003) and required less technical skill than EEI, but was more easily displaced when changing the animal's position (P=0.004).

CONCLUSION:

The v-gel is a practical alternative to EEI for securing the airway of healthy spontaneously ventilating rabbits, provided a capnograph is utilised to ensure continuous placement. Both airway techniques appear safe and effective with few complications, as long as intermittent positive pressure ventilation can be employed to correct hypercapnia.

• Authors: Jessica Comolli, Rodney Schnellbacher, Hugues Beaufrere, Uriel Blas-Machado, Jane Quandt, Jörg Mayer, Stephen J Divers
• Journal: The Veterinary record (Vet Rec) Vol. 187 Issue 10 Pg. e84 (Nov 14 2020) ISSN: 2042-7670 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32690763 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary)
• Copyright: © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Gas Analysis (veterinary)
• Equipment Design
• Female
• Hysterectomy (veterinary)
• Intubation, Intratracheal (instrumentation)
• Ovariectomy (veterinary)
• Prospective Studies
• Rabbits (surgery)