Effect of passive pneumoperitoneum on oesophageal pressure, cardiovascular parameters and blood gas analysis in horses.
Authors: Canola P A, Perotta J H, Laskoski L M, Escobar A, Melo e Silva C A, Canola J C, Johnson P J, Valadão C A A
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pneumoperitoneum and Standing Abdominal Surgery in Horses As standing laparoscopic surgery becomes increasingly common in equine practice, concerns about the physiological burden of insufflating gas into the abdominal cavity warrant investigation. Researchers measured oesophageal pressure (reflecting work of breathing), cardiovascular parameters and blood gases in eight healthy horses before and up to 30 minutes after establishing pneumoperitoneum via paralumbar needle puncture, using indwelling catheters in the carotid artery and thoracic vena cava alongside intraluminal manometry. Contrary to theoretical predictions, passive pneumoperitoneum produced no significant changes in oesophageal pressure, central venous pressure, or arterial and mixed venous blood gas values; only modest increases in arterial diastolic and mean pressures and rectal temperature reached statistical significance, neither of which was clinically meaningful. These findings suggest that practitioners can proceed with standing laparoscopic procedures without expecting respiratory compromise from gas insufflation in otherwise healthy adult horses, though the controlled experimental setting—using relatively healthy animals without concurrent disease—means results may not directly translate to geriatric, obese or systemically compromised individuals. The work provides reassuring baseline data for a technique increasingly valued for minimally invasive exploration and treatment of abdominal conditions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Standing laparoscopic abdominal surgery appears safe from a respiratory and cardiovascular perspective in healthy adult horses, with no adverse effects on breathing mechanics expected
- •Surgeons can confidently use pneumoperitoneum during standing procedures without concern for compromising oxygenation or ventilation in mature horses
- •Minor blood pressure elevations during the procedure are likely stress-related and not clinically concerning; these are not contraindications to proceeding with surgery
Key Findings
- •Passive pneumoperitoneum did not significantly alter oesophageal pressure, central venous pressure, or blood gas parameters in healthy horses
- •Arterial diastolic and mean pressures increased slightly but remained clinically acceptable (P ≤ 0.05)
- •Rectal temperature showed subtle increases likely attributable to handling stress rather than pneumoperitoneum
- •Mature horses tolerate passive pneumoperitoneum well without developing respiratory difficulty during standing laparoscopy