title: Comparison of two techniques for ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blockade in cats.
abstract: Axillary blockade of the brachial plexus (BP) is advocated in humans and dogs for surgical procedures carried out on the foot, carpus and elbow as it provides complete analgesia distally from above the elbow joint. The aim of this study was to develop an ultrasound (US)-guided approach to block the BP in cats. Two groups of 12 feline cadavers each were used to compare two different techniques to block the BP at the axillary level. The reliability of the techniques was assessed by anatomical and computed tomography (CT) studies. Cadavers of the first group were positioned in dorsal recumbency with the forelimb to be blocked adducted (thoracic limbs flexed and orientated caudally) (FAD technique). The second group was positioned in dorsal recumbency with the forelimb abducted 90° (FAB technique). The accuracy of the techniques was determined by US after injecting 1 ml blue ink along the BP nerves, and by CT after injecting 1 ml of an iodinated contrast medium. The anatomical and CT studies confirmed the accuracy of the US location of the BP nerves. Staining of the axillaris, musculocutaneous, radialis, medianus and ulnaris nerves was observed in 100% of cats using the FAB technique and in 66% of the cats using the FAD technique. Rate of complications was higher in the FAD technique. In conclusion, a US-guided axillary approach to the BP by the use of a FAB technique is a safe and feasible procedure to block the BP in the cat. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether the technique can be applied in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Agustina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ansón
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Laredo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Eliseo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belda
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain amalia@um.es.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agut
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D065527:Brachial Plexus Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000662:veterinary*