Lumbar erector spinae plane block: an anatomical and dye distribution evaluation of two ultrasound-guided approaches in canine cadavers

The combination of an ultrasound‐guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and epidural morphine as effective intra‐operative adjuncts to opioid premedication in six dogs undergoing lateral thoracotomy

“…25,40 There are no publications on the ESP block for lateral thoracotomy in veterinary patients, presumably due to the weak evidence in veterinary medicine on the spread of the local anaesthetic to the paravertebral canal in cadavers. 17,19,20,23,24 Some cadaveric studies in humans have reported the same findings. [41][42][43] However, others have reported that the spread of the local anaesthetic into the paravertebral, epidural and the intercostal space is one of the potential mechanisms of action by which the ESP block may produce its local anaesthetic effect in humans.…”

“…Local anaesthetics, after an ultrasound‐guided ESP block, have been reported to spread to the ventromedial, lateral and craniocaudal direction, effectively bathing the dorsomedial and dorsolateral branches of the spinal nerves, 25 leading to profound analgesia of the ipsilateral hemithorax and lumbar region 25,40 . There are no publications on the ESP block for lateral thoracotomy in veterinary patients, presumably due to the weak evidence in veterinary medicine on the spread of the local anaesthetic to the paravertebral canal in cadavers 17,19,20,23,24 . Some cadaveric studies in humans have reported the same findings 41–43 .…”

“…Ultrasound‐guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block was first described in humans in 2016 16 . Since then, it has also been described in dogs, pigs and horses 17–24 . This technique consists of infiltration of local anaesthetic solution in the interfascial plane between the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae and the erector spinae muscle group 25 .…”

“…16 Since then, it has also been described in dogs, pigs and horses. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] This technique consists of infiltration of local anaesthetic solution in the interfascial plane between the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae and the erector spinae muscle group. 25 The erector spinae muscles include the iliocostalis, spinalis and longissimus muscles, all covered by a common fascia.…”

Erector spinae plane block as part of a multimodal analgesic approach in an anaesthetised horse undergoing dorsal spinous process ostectomy and desmotomy

“…Clinical application of the ESP in dogs undergoing surgery on the epaxial region (hemilaminectomy) provides intraoperative cardiovascular stability and postoperative analgesia, and helps reduce the postoperative opioid consumption and potentially their side effects 55,61–63 . However, due to species anatomical differences, the pure translation of the human technique when performing the ESP block may hinder the true potential of this interfascial plane block; technique adaptations in dogs have been described 7,62 …”