Gastroesophageal reflux can affect various species and presents several etiologies, and general anesthesia can be considered one of the main causes of esophagitis in dogs, due to the reduction of the gastroesophageal sphincter tonus caused by anesthetic drugs. There are many factors responsible for the esophageal lesion due to reflux, including type of refluid material, reflux volume, frequency and duration, and esophageal mucosa integrity. It is important to prevent reflux during anesthesia because of the risk of causing not only post operatory esophagitis but also other serious complications such as formation of esophageal stenosis, or aspiration pneumonia . Thus, it is important to establish anesthetic protocols that do not modify the function of the gastroesophageal sphincter, as well as determine therapeutic strategies that could reduce reflux incidence. This research reviews the anatomic and physiological aspects of gastroesophageal junction as well as those aspects related with gastroesophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs.
gastroesophageal sphincter; esophagitis; esophageal pHmetry; general anesthesia; prokinetics
