Effects of infiltration of the incision site with bupivacaine on postoperative pain and incisional healing in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of infiltration of the incision site with bupivacaine hydrochloride as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol (incisional block) on postoperative analgesia and incisional healing.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
92 shelter-owned female dogs undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy.


METHODS
As part of a multimodal analgesic protocol for ovariohysterectomy, dogs received 1 of the following treatments at the incision site: no injection (26 dogs), preincisional infiltration with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (12 dogs) or bupivacaine (21 dogs), or postincisional infiltration with bupivacaine (33 dogs). Postoperative pain was assessed with the Glasgow pain scale and response to mechanical stimulation with von Frey filaments. Incisions were monitored for signs of inflammation (edema, erythema, and discharge) and complications in wound healing.


RESULTS
There was no difference in pain scores or response to mechanical stimulation over time among treatments. There were no significant differences in incisional edema or discharge among treatments. There was significantly more erythema in dogs that received preincisional infiltration with saline solution at 4 hours after surgery and less erythema in dogs that received postincisional infiltration with bupivacaine at 24 hours after surgery, compared with other treatments. The number of complications for dogs that had preincisional infiltration of bupivacaine was higher than for dogs that had other treatments; complications included excessive inflammation, splenic laceration, and herniation.


CONCLUSIONS
No additional analgesic benefit was found in dogs that underwent local bupivacaine infiltration as part of a multimodal analgesic protocol for ovariohysterectomy.
Fitzpatrick
Courtney L
CL
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Weir
Heather L
HL
Monnet
Eric
E
D000698:Analgesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine