Peripheral nerve blocks of the pelvic limb in dogs: A retrospective clinical study

E. Vettorato; C. Bradbrook; M. Gurney; F. Aprea; L. Clark; F. Corletto

doi:10.3415/VCOT-11-08-0111

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25(04): 314-320
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-11-08-0111

Clinical Communication

Schattauer GmbH

Peripheral nerve blocks of the pelvic limb in dogs: A retrospective clinical study

E. Vettorato

¹Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK

,

C. Bradbrook

²Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm, Business Park, Higham Gobion, Herts, UK

,

M. Gurney

³Northwest Surgeons, Delamere House, Ashville Point, Sutton Weaver, Cheshire, UK

,

F. Aprea

¹Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK

,

L. Clark

²Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm, Business Park, Higham Gobion, Herts, UK

,

F. Corletto

¹Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Objective: To evaluate the success rate and complications of lumbar plexus (LP) and femoral nerve (FN) blocks, each combined with a sciatic nerve (SN) block, in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery.

Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Procedure: The intra-operative and postoperative clinical records of dogs that underwent orthopaedic surgery of the pelvic limb were reviewed. Dogs were divided into two groups according to the analgesic technique used during surgery: dogs that received a peripheral nerve block (group PNB) and dogs in which opioid analgesia alone was used (group C).

Results: The PNB and C groups included 265 and 31 dogs, respectively. Complete statistical analysis was performed in 115/265 dogs of PNB group. The overall success rate of the PNB performed was 77% (89/115): 76% (72/95) and 85% (17/20) for LP-SN and FN-SN blocks, respectively. In group PNB, the prevalence of intra-operative hypotension was 7.8% (9/115). Only one (out of 95 [1.05%]) LP-SN block manifested transient postoperative bilateral pelvic limb paralysis. None of the 265 dogs in group PNB manifested neurological complications at six weeks postoperatively.

Conclusion: The success rate and the absence of neurological complications obtained support the use of LP-SN and FN-SN for loco-regional anaesthesia and analgesia in dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery of the pelvic limb.

Keywords

Analgesia - dog - loco-regional anaesthesia - peripheral nerve block

Full Text

References

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