Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pain relief and complications in dogs after spine surgery
By Portela, Diego A et al.·Published in Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia·2021·Department of Comparative, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery (a procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal cord) received either an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or traditional opioid pain relief. The dogs that had the ESP block used less opioid medication during surgery and needed fewer additional treatments for heart-related complications compared to those on opioids. Both groups had similar recovery outcomes and complication rates after surgery. This suggests that the ESP block can be an effective pain management option for dogs undergoing this type of surgery.
People also search for: dog hemilaminectomy pain management · erector spinae block for dogs · opioid use in dog surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Medical records of 114 client-owned dogs. METHODS: General data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: Group ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20-3.74) and 0.79 (0.19-5.60) mg kgin groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33277182/