Evaluation of epidural administration of morphine or morphine and bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after premedication with an opioid analgesic and orthopedic surgery in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of epidural administration of morphine or a morphine-bupivacaine combination administered before orthopedic surgery in dogs that received opioid premedication.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study.


METHODS
36 healthy adult dogs that underwent elective orthopedic surgery on a pelvic limb.


METHODS
Each dog received 1 of 3 epidural treatments before surgery. Anesthetic and supportive care protocols were standardized. Dogs under going different surgical procedures were randomly allocated among the 3 treatment groups. Respiratory and cardiovascular variables, end-tidal isoflurane concentration, and requirements for rescue analgesia were monitored. Postsurgical analgesia was evaluated with a multiparametric pain scoring system and by determination of rescue analgesia requirements and cortisolemia.


RESULTS
The morphine-bupivacaine combination was associated with lower values than morphine or a saline solution for intraoperative arterial blood pressure; minimum and maximum isoflurane requirements; and postoperative pain scores, rescue analgesia requirements, and plasma cortisol concentrations. Values obtained after administration of morphine alone were not significantly different from those obtained after administration of saline solution for most variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The preoperative epidurally administered morphine-bupivacaine combination induced better analgesia than morphine alone and should be considered for use in clinical patients. The degree of hemodynamic depression associated with the combination was considered acceptable for healthy patients undergoing elective surgery.
Kona-Boun
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.
Cuvelliez
Sophie
S
Troncy
Eric
E
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009020:Morphine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D002045:Bupivacaine