THE INCIDENCE OF POST-ANESTHETIC MYOPATHY WITH THE USE OF A STATIC AIR MATTRESS

The effect of a static air mattress on the incidence of post-anaesthet ic myopathy was studied. it is generally assumed that pressure on the muscles will result in an impairment of the circulation, creating an i schaemic condition and cause post-anaesthetic myopathy. An adequate mu scular perfusion is maintained by careful positioning oi the patient a nd paying attention to the surface on which the horse lies. As human l iterature, based on the evaluation of CT-scans of subjects supported b y various types of beddings indicate, that the use of a static air mat tress results in a significant reduction of compression and may result in lower incidence of ulcers, this type of mattres was selected to be tested for use in horses. In 1995 1349 horses were anaesthesized with an average anaesthesia time of 98 min. Twelve (0.9%) horses had probl ems with the recovery because of myopathy. Nine limbs (0.7%) concerned the underside of the horse during anaesthesia.