title: Retrospective comparison of two peripheral lumbosacral plexus blocks in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the lateral pre-iliac approach to the lumbar plexus combined with lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve block, and the dorsal paravertebral approach to the lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective examination of case records of dogs that received the blocks and underwent pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery between 2010 and 2012. Success rate (intraoperative fentanyl consumption <2·1 µg/kg/hour), type and dose of local anaesthetic used, multiple of minimum alveolar concentration of volatile anaesthetic agent administered, incidence of intraoperative hypotension, postoperative methadone administration, postoperative contralateral limb paralysis and neurological complication at 6 weeks re-examination were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-six and 95 records were retrieved in which lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve and dorsal paravertebral - sciatic nerve were used, respectively. Success rates were 82·3% in lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve and 74·7% in dorsal paravertebral - sciatic nerve groups. Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine and ropivacaine were used. Total local anaesthetic doses, intraoperative hypotension and postoperative methadone administered were similar between groups; minimum alveolar concentration multiple was significantly (P<0·001) lower in lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve group. No neurological complications were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although success rates and perioperative analgesic requirements were not significantly different, the different exposure to anaesthetic agents suggests that the two techniques may not be equivalent.
authors.affiliation: Dick White Referrals, Station Farm - London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, CB80UH.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vettorato
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Gennaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okushima
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corletto
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000818:Animals; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000601:surgery*; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine