title: Post-operative analgesia following thoracotomy in the dog: an evaluation of the effects of bupivacaine intercostal nerve block and nalbuphine on respiratory function.
abstract: Pain following thoracotomy reduces pulmonary ventilation in man and a similar effect is believed to occur in animals. The effects of two analgesic regimens on arterial blood gas parameters were studied in dogs following thoracotomy. Post-Operative analgesia was provided with intermittent nalbuphine, either alone or in combination with an intercostal nerve block using bupivacaine. Arterial blood gas analysis was carried out at 4, 8 and 16 h post-operatively, both before the administration of nalbuphine and again 30 min later. Animals which received nalbuphine alone had a significant rise in arterial oxygenation following administration of this analgesic. This effect was not observed at 4 and 8 h post-operatively in dogs which had an intercostal block with bupivacaine, but was seen at 16 h post-operatively when it could be anticipated that the effects of bupivacaine would have waned. These results suggest that intercostal block with bupivacaine can provide analgesia for over 8 h, and that the duration of action of nalbuphine in controlling post-operative pain in the dog is probably less than 4 h.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Biology Centre Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Flecknell
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liles
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Dark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004285:Dogs; D007367:Intercostal Nerves; D009266:Nalbuphine; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D009266:Nalbuphine; D002045:Bupivacaine