Summary Limited information exists on distribution of local anaesthetic solution following palmar digital nerve blocks. The aim of this study was to demonstrate potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution following perineural injection of the palmar digital nerves using 2 different volumes of contrast medium and 2 different injections sites. Twelve mature horses were used. Perineural injection of the palmar digital nerves were performed at the level of or 2 cm proximal to the proximal aspect of the ipsilateral ungular cartilage, using 1.5 or 2.5 ml radiopaque contrast medium. In total, 96 injections were performed. Four standard radiographic views of the pastern were obtained immediately after injections and 10 and 20 min later. Images were analysed subjectively and objectively. After distal injections, the contrast medium was more localised around the injection site; after proximal injections the contrast patch had greater proximal–distal length. The greatest proximal diffusion was to 31.7% of the length of the proximal phalanx (from the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint) after distal injections and to 70% after proximal injections. The larger volume resulted in significantly greater proximal diffusion than the smaller volume at the distal, but not at the proximal injection site (P<0.01). There was significant proximal diffusion with time after proximal and distal injections (P<0.01). In most limbs, numerous radiopaque lines of various thickness extended proximally from the contrast patches; subjectively, their number and thickness were greater at the distal injection site. In conclusion, palmar digital nerve blocks at the level of the ungular cartilage using ≤2.5 ml local anaesthetic solution may improve proximal interphalangeal joint and pastern region pain. If using a more proximal site, distal fetlock region pain may be improved. Due to diffusion into lymphatic vessels, too small a volume at the distal injection site may not provide sufficient analgesia.

Clinical Research Abstracts British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015 Foreword and AcknowledgementsThis supplement is devoted to the publication of abstracts from the 2015 Congress of The British Equine Veterinary Association. The quality of research at the Congress was, as in previous years, high, and the selection process was difficult. Despite the inclusion of a larger number of research communications than in previous years only two-thirds of those submitted could be accepted. This year's Congress committee utilised the selection process initiated last year by Professor Celia Marr in partnership with EVJ. Abstracts were reviewed and objectively graded by two peer reviewers and a member of the Congress Committee before being subjected to a final selection process overseen by the Congress Chair. Thereafter, abstracts had to satisfy the requirements of EVJ for publication in this supplement. Those authors who have had their work accepted should be proud of their achievement. Those who were unsuccessful are doubtless disappointed; however, they have the reassurance that the standard was high and the process was fair.Implementing such a process necessitates a considerable amount of work by dozens of individuals. I am extremely grateful to Professor Celia Marr, Sue Wright and Jane Woodley at EVJ for inviting the Congress Committee to work in partnership with them and for enabling us to utilise their review process. Without the infrastructure provided by EVJ, such a comprehensive review process would not have been possible, and without the endless patience and assistance of the aforementioned individuals, it could not have worked. The Congress Committee themselves: Debbie Archer, Madeleine Campbell, Huw Griffiths, Philip Ivens, Andy Fiske-Jackson, Malcolm Morley, Michael Schramme, Henry Tremaine and Lesley Young deserve thanks and recognition for a year of hard work. Particular thanks also to all of the anonymous peer reviewers who receive no recognition but gave their time not only to grade the abstracts submitted but also to provide constructive feedback to their authors.The selection process adopted for BEVA Congress sets a standard for other meetings to follow. Given the increasing competition for acceptance of research communications at major international meetings, and the importance of achieving acceptance for those seeking to fulfil the requirements of specialist colleges, such a rigourous selection process seems only right. David Rendle Chairman BEVA 2015 Scientific Programme Guardians Congress Session Sponsors EFFICACY OF OVIDUCTAL FLUSHING WITH PGE2, IN MARES, IN AND OUT OF THE BREEDING SEASONMartynski, P.D., Payne, R.J. and Wylie, C.E. Rossdales Equine Hospital & Diagnostic Centre, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7NN, UK. Email: pmartynski@rvc.ac.uk Reasons for performing study: There are limited data surrounding the efficacy of oviductal flushing in restoring fertility in mares with repeated returns to oestrus. Objectives:To determine the conception and foaling rates in...

Diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after a mid-pastern ring block has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to demonstrate potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution following injection of radiodense contrast medium as performed for a mid-pastern ring block. Twelve mature horses were used and 1.5 ml radiodense contrast medium injected over the medial or lateral palmar digital nerve at the level of the proximal aspect of the ungular cartilages. A dorsal ring block was performed on the ipsilateral side, 1.5 cm proximal to the palpable palmar aspect of the proximal eminence of the middle phalanx, using 2 or 5 ml contrast medium. Both forelimbs were injected on 2 days (48 injections). Four standard radiographic views of the pastern were obtained immediately, 10 and 20 min after injections. Images were analysed subjectively and objectively. After dorsal injections, the contrast medium was distributed in a diffuse patch over the ipsilateral half of the proximal phalanx (P1), extending proximally over the half of the length of P1 in all limbs (greatest proximal extension: 89.0% of the length of P1 [from distal] after 2 ml, 94.2% after 5 ml). There was significant proximal diffusion in the first 10 min after injection and significant dorsal diffusion between all time points (P<0.01). There was significant positive association between injected volume and the proximal extension of the dorsal contrast patch (P = 0.01). The median dorsal diffusion was to the dorsal midline of P1; 5 ml contrast medium resulted in significantly greater dorsal diffusion than 2 ml (P<0.01). The dorsal and palmar contrast patches did not merge. In conclusion, diffusion to the proximal aspect of P1 following a mid-pastern ring block may occur even if only 2 ml of local anaesthetic solution is used.

None. Competing interests: None declared.

No abstract