Paravertebral cervical block for osteosynthesis of humeral fracture in foal

Abstract

A modified cervical paravertebral block of the brachial plexus was performed with the aid of a nerve stimulator for osteosynthesis with four intramedullary pins in a 5-month-old colt weighing 180 kg diagnosed with a closed, complete, and oblique humerus fracture. Xylazine 2% (0.5 mg kg-1 IV) was administered as the pre-anesthetic medication. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine 10% (2 mg kg-1 IV) and midazolam 0.5% (5 mg kg-1 IV) and maintained with isoflurane. The animal was on mechanical ventilation. The nerve block was induced with administration of ropivacaine 0.75% in the ventral branches of C6 (intervertebral space C5–C6) and C7 (intervertebral space C6–C7) and in the branches of C8 and T1 at their convergence at the cranial margin of the first rib. During the 130-min duration of the surgery, no analgesic rescue was required. In conclusion, this blockade can be performed safely and promotes numbness of the humeral and olecranon regions.