Evaluation of GV26 Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation on Anesthetic Recovery Time of Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)

Recovery time from anesthesia can be extended in reptiles, consequently patients undergoing general anesthesia, require prolonged monitoring period which increases the probability of postoperative complications. Therefore, prolonged recovery time following inhalant anesthesia is a common complication in chelonians. Ability to intracardiac shunting and bypassing blood from pulmonary circulation, may contribute to their unpredictable inhalant anesthetic recovery times. The acupuncture point Governing vessel (GV-26) has been demonstrated to reduce anesthetic recovery times from inhalant anesthesia in many species. In this study eight spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo gracea) were anesthetized by isoflurane administration for 60 min. The trial was performed in two parts with four weeks washout period. In the first time, once isoflurane administration was discontinued, the tortoises received no therapy in the recovery period and in the second part of the study, tortoises received GV-26 electroacupuncture stimulation. Physiologic variables, anesthetic parameters, time to first movement and time to extubation were recorded. Data were compared with the use of independent sample t tests. Tortoises receiving GV-26 electroacupuncture had a significantly reduced time to return of voluntary movement (P<0.001), and a significantly reduced time to extubation (P<0.001). Furthermore, time from first movement to extubation was significantly shorter (P<0.05). Hence, the use of GV-26 electroacupuncture results in significant reduction of anesthetic recovery time in spur-thighed tortoises which have received inhalant anesthetic.