An Analysis of Risk Factors for a Fracture or Luxation in Recovery From General Anesthesia in Horses: A Single Centre Study.

Catastrophic fractures or luxations (FoL) sustained during recovery from general anesthesia are a significant cause of mortality during equine anesthesia. There is a lack of evidence regarding potential risk factors for a FoL occurring in the immediate anesthetic recovery period. A single center, retrospective, case-matched study was performed to identify risk factors for sustaining a catastrophic FoL during recovery from general anesthesia. Clinical data were obtained for horses which sustained a catastrophic FoL when recovering from general anesthesia from January 2011 to June 2020 in a single center referral population. Multivariable logistical regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors which were significant in horses where a FoL occurred. Statistically significant risk factors in our population of horses of sustaining a FoL in recovery included intraoperative administration of intratracheal salbutamol, intraoperative administration of ketamine and increasing age. Further research in this area, particularly with regards to salbutamol administration, is required.