title: A description of a technique for ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus catheter in dogs: cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an ultrasound-guided approach for lumbar plexus catheter placement in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective experimental cadaveric study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven thawed canine cadavers (13 ± 2 kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  A technique to place a catheter in the psoas compartment at the level of the lumbar plexus under ultrasound guidance was described. Ultrasonographic landmarks for the placement of a lumbar plexus catheter were identified as the body of the sixth lumbar vertebrae, the psoas muscle and the femoral nerve. All catheters were placed by the principal investigator using epidural sets with an 18-G Tuohy needle. The procedure was carried out twice in each cadaver, with the aim of placing a catheter at the point of the left and right lumbar plexuses. A total volume of 0.4 mL kg(-1) of 1% methylene blue solution was injected into the psoas compartment after which the catheter was removed. After performing the injection in four cadavers, the technique was modified, altering the angle of needle placement and length of catheter insertion. Staining of the femoral and obturator nerves was assessed. Success was recorded if both nerves were stained over a length >1 cm. The spreading of the dye into the abdomen or to the nerve roots was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate after the first four cadavers was four out of eight, and dye was found in the abdomen of two of the cadavers. When the modified technique was used in the subsequent seven cadavers, the success rate was 12 out of 14, and no dye was found in the abdomens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique has shown a high percentage of success and low rate of complications. The only complication investigated in this study was the spread to the abdomen or epidural space. To establish safety, clinical studies will be needed.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monticelli
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drożdżyńska
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Thaleia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stathopoulou
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neilson
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Imaging Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gregori
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viscasillas
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004285:Dogs; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009776:Obturator Nerve; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016658:Psoas Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents
keywords: continuous; dog; lumbar plexus; technique; ultrasound