Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Brachial plexus nerve block for dog wrist joint surgery pain relief
By Wenger, Sandra·Published in Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia·2004·Department for Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Brachial plexus block using electrolocation for pancarpal arthrodesis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog undergoing surgery for a wrist joint fusion (pancarpal arthrodesis) received a special pain relief technique called a brachial plexus block, which numbs the area around the shoulder. The veterinarian used a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine to manage pain during and after the surgery. This method was effective, providing pain relief for about 7 hours without affecting the dog's breathing or heart rate. Using a nerve stimulator helped ensure the procedure was successful, especially for less experienced veterinarians.
People also search for: dog wrist surgery pain relief · brachial plexus block in dogs · dog surgery anesthesia options
Abstract
Conduction blockade was achieved at the brachial plexus of a dog undergoing surgery for pancarpal arthrodesis. The lidocaine/bupivacaine mixture used was the sole analgesic treatment applied during surgery and for 3 hours post-operatively. Location of the plexus brachialis was facilitated using a nerve stimulator. A low volume of lidocaine and bupivacaine (0.26 mL kg(-1)) resulted in successful blockade, which was evident from stable cardiorespiratory variables at low end-tidal (1.3-1.4%) isoflurane concentrations. Pain scoring and examination of motor and sensory function indicated adequate pain relief for 7 hours. While localization of the plexus brachialis can be performed 'blindly', electrolocation improves the success rate for less experienced anaesthetists.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15509292/