Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thoracic epidural catheter placement technique in three dogs
By Franci, Paolo et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2012·Department of Animal Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thoracic epidural catheter placement using a paramedian approach with cephalad angulation in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs undergoing surgery for chest wall issues had a special pain relief catheter placed in their spine to help manage pain during and after their operations. The veterinarians used a specific technique to insert the catheter, which allowed them to deliver a combination of bupivacaine and morphine directly into the area around the spinal cord. All three dogs had the catheter placed successfully, although one dog experienced a temporary side effect called Horner's syndrome, and another needed extra pain relief during surgery. Overall, the technique worked well for providing pain control.
People also search for: dog surgery pain relief · thoracic epidural catheter dogs · Horner's syndrome in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for insertion of a thoracic epidural catheter. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 3) undergoing thoracic wall resection and thoracotomy. METHODS: A paramedian approach with cephalic angulation was used to place a 24-g epidural catheter in 3 dogs. Dogs 1 and 2 had left caudal thoracic wall resection and dog 3 had left thoracotomy. In dog 1, the epidural catheter was inserted at L2-L3 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter advanced to the level of T13 vertebral body. In dog 2, the epidural catheter was inserted at T12-T13 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter was advanced to the level of T8 vertebral body. In dog 3, the epidural catheter was inserted at T13-L1 intervertebral space and its tip advanced until reaching the vertebral body of T10. All dogs were administered a combination of bupivacaine and morphine through the epidural catheter to provide intra- and postoperative analgesia. RESULTS: The peridural space was identified and the tip of the catheter was positioned where intended in all dogs. Dog 1 developed transient Horner's syndrome and dog 3 required intraoperative fentanyl during the first part of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Paramedian approach with cephalad angulation is a suitable technique to place thoracic epidural catheters in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22823071/