• Vincent Marolf, Helene Rohrbach, Géraldine Bolen, Anne-Sophie Van Wijnsberghe, and Charlotte Sandersen.
• Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Electronic address: vincent.marolf@uliege.be.
• Vet Anaesth Analg. 2019 Jan 1; 46 (1): 106-115.

ObjectiveTo develop a modified ultrasound-guided parasacral approach to the sciatic nerve and compare the effects of a volume of 0.2 mL kg-1 of 0.5% levobupivacaine with an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline injected near the sciatic nerve.Study DesignCadaveric and experimental, blinded, randomized study.AnimalsSeven canine cadavers and seven experimental Beagle dogs.MethodsBoth sciatic nerves of seven cadavers were identified using a modified in-plane ultrasound-guided approach. Methylene blue solution (0.2 mL) was injected perineurally, and success was evaluated through dissection. The same approach was repeated in seven Beagle dogs sedated with dexmedetomidine (50 μg kg-1) injected intramuscularly (IM). After randomization, 0.2 mL kg-1 of 0.5% levobupivacaine (limb L) and 0.2 mL kg-1 of 0.9% saline (limb C) were injected perineurally on either right or left limb. Block success was determined by sensory deficits every hour for 8 hours after an atipamezole injection (0.2 mg kg-1) IM. Reaction to pinprick (binary score) over the course of the sciatic nerve (four locations) and locomotion were assessed.ResultsThe overall sciatic nerve block success was 93% in cadavers and 86% in sedated dogs. It was impossible to localize the sciatic nerves in one obese sedated dog. Significant differences between limb L and limb C were observed for pinprick at great trochanter, caudal thigh and lateral tarsal joint (p < 0.0001). Reaction to pinprick was absent in all dogs at great trochanter and caudal thigh up to at least 3 hours on limb L. Locomotion was impaired in all but one dog for 60 (30-210) minutes (median; interquartile range). No complications were observed.Conclusions And Clinical RelevanceA volume of ≥0.2 mL kg-1 and a concentration of 0.5% levobupivacaine can be recommended when using a modified ultrasound-guided parasacral approach to the sciatic nerve in dogs.Copyright © 2018 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

25 keywords...

hide…