Electrical nerve stimulation to facilitate placement of an indwelling catheter for repeated brachial plexus block in a traumatized dog.
A 10-year-old, 7 kg, male mixed breed dog was presented, following a dog fight, with open fractures of the radius and ulna and extensive skin and muscle lesions. Using electric nerve stimulation, an indwelling catheter was positioned in the axillary space and 2 mg kg(-1) bupivacaine was injected. Complete sensory and motor blocks were obtained allowing amputation distal to the non-traumatized tissue and debridement of the limb. The injection of bupivicaine was repeated 5 hours after the first bolus and a similar result was obtained in term of muscle relaxation and pain alleviation. Subsequent injections were not successful in providing the same effect, most likely as a result of catheter displacement and alternate means of analgesia were used.
Mahler
Stephan P
SP
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. stephan_mahler@hotmail.com
Reece
Jennifer L M
JL
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000662:veterinary*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000662:veterinary
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine