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The effects of anesthetic regimen in 90% hepatectomy in rats
Carlos Oscar Kieling1, Ariane Nadia Backes, Rafael Lucyk Maurer
1School of Medicine, Experimental Gastroenterology and Hepatology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center and Pediatrics Unit, Clinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Brazil.
Purpose:
To evaluate the influence of the anesthetic regimen on anesthetic recovery, survival, and blood glucose levels following a 90% partial hepatectomy in rats.
Methods:
Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to their anesthetic regimens: intraperitoneal ketamine and xylazine or inhaled isoflurane. In order to prevent hypoglycemia, glucose was administered intraperitoneally and glucose (20%) was added to the drinking water.
Results:
Anesthetic recovery time was longer in the ketamine and xylazine group. The survival rate after 72 hours was lower (log rank=0.0001) in the ketamine and xylazine group (0.0%) than in the isoflurane group (26.7%). The blood glucose after six hours was lower (p=0.017) in the ketamine and xylazine group (63 ± 31.7 mg/dL) than in the isoflurane group (98 ± 21.2 mg/dL). The prolonged anesthesia recovery time associated with ketamine and xylazine decreased the survival rate and blood glucose levels after 90% hepatectomy.
Conclusion:
Isoflurane anesthesia reduced the recovery time and incidence of hypoglycemia and increased the survival rate in the early hours, providing a therapeutic window that is suitable for experimental studies.

