ABSTRACT

Sedation is very beneficial in the perianaesthetic period of patients with upper airway obstruction. Opiates and tranquillisers are ideal5. Animals with BOAS tend to have elevated vagal tone, and the addition of an anticholinergic to the premedication may be indicated5. Propofol allows for a rapid induction, but is associated with apnoea and therefore not ideal for cases in which a difficult intubation is expected. Ketamine with a benzodiazepine would be indicated for those cases5. Maintenance, unless an intravenous protocol is indicated, can usually be achieved with inhalant anaesthetics. Monitoring of patients undergoing rhinological surgery should minimally consist of electrocardiogram (ECG), body temperature, oxygenation (SpO2) and ventilation (end-tidal CO2).