Ultrasound-guided approach for axillary brachial plexus, femoral nerve, and sciatic nerve blocks in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an ultrasound-guided technique and the anatomical basis for three clinically useful nerve blocks in dogs.


METHODS
Prospective experimental trial.


METHODS
Four hound-cross dogs aged 2 +/- 0 years (mean +/- SD) weighing 30 +/- 5 kg and four Beagles aged 2 +/- 0 years and weighing 8.5 +/- 0.5 kg.


METHODS
Axillary brachial plexus, femoral, and sciatic combined ultrasound/electrolocation-guided nerve blocks were performed sequentially and bilaterally using a lidocaine solution mixed with methylene blue. Sciatic nerve blocks were not performed in the hounds. After the blocks, the dogs were euthanatized and each relevant site dissected.


RESULTS
Axillary brachial plexus block Landmark blood vessels and the roots of the brachial plexus were identified by ultrasound in all eight dogs. Anatomical examination confirmed the relationship between the four ventral nerve roots (C6, C7, C8, and T1) and the axillary vessels. Three roots (C7, C8, and T1) were adequately stained bilaterally in all dogs. Femoral nerve block Landmark blood vessels (femoral artery and femoral vein), the femoral and saphenous nerves and the medial portion of the rectus femoris muscle were identified by ultrasound in all dogs. Anatomical examination confirmed the relationship between the femoral vessels, femoral nerve, and the rectus femoris muscle. The femoral nerves were adequately stained bilaterally in all dogs. Sciatic nerve block. Ultrasound landmarks (semimembranosus muscle, the fascia of the biceps femoris muscle and the sciatic nerve) could be identified in all of the dogs. In the four Beagles, anatomical examination confirmed the relationship between the biceps femoris muscle, the semimembranosus muscle, and the sciatic nerve. In the Beagles, all but one of the sciatic nerves were stained adequately.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound-guided needle insertion is an accurate method for depositing local anesthetic for axillary brachial plexus, femoral, and sciatic nerve blocks.
Campoy
Luis
L
Department of Clinical Sciences. College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA. luis.campoy@cornell.edu
Bezuidenhout
Abraham J
AJ
Gleed
Robin D
RD
Martin-Flores
Manuel
M
Raw
Robert M
RM
Santare
Carrie L
CL
Jay
Ariane R
AR
Wang
Annie L
AL
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000818:Animals; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000779:Anesthetics, Local