Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks of the pelvic limb in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guidance in nerve blockade of the sciatic and saphenous nerves in dogs and to determine if this technique could allow lower anaesthetic doses to be used with predictable onset and duration of effect.


METHODS
Prospective randomized (for dose and leg) blinded experimental crossover trial with 10 day washout period.


METHODS
Six healthy female Hound dogs aged 12.3 +/- 0.5 (mean +/- SD) months and weighing 18.7 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SD) kg.


METHODS
An ultrasound-guided, perineural injection was used with saline at 0.2 mL kg(-1) (Sal) or bupivacaine 0.5% at 0.05 (low dose; LD), 0.1 (medium dose; MD), or 0.2 (high dose; HD) mL kg(-1), divided 2/3 at the sciatic nerve and 1/3 at the saphenous nerve. Blocks were performed using dexmedetomidine sedation with atipamezole reversal immediately after completion of the injections. Motor/proprioceptive and sensory functions were scored using a 0-8 and a 0-2 scale, respectively. Clinically relevant blocks were defined as a motor score > or =2 and sensory score > or =1. Nonparametric methods were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
No adverse effects were noted. There was a significant difference between the treatments with bupivacaine and the saline control, but not between the three bupivacaine treatments. Success rates of clinically relevant sciatic and saphenous blocks were both 67% (CI 95% 0.22-0.96). Onset and duration of the blocks were variable; 20-160 and 20-540 minutes, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the bupivacaine doses was significantly superior, though there was a tendency for a better block with the high bupivacaine dose. Either the technique or the doses used need further modification before this method will be useful in clinical practice.
Shilo
Yael
Y
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA. yshilobenjamini@ucdavis.edu
Pascoe
Peter J
PJ
Cissell
Derek
D
Johnson
Eric G
EG
Kass
Philip H
PH
Wisner
Erik R
ER
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D020927:Dexmedetomidine