Ultrasound‐ and nerve stimulation‐guided sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) undergoing calcaneal fracture repair

Abstract

The beneficial effects of performing regional anaesthesia techniques as part of a pre‐emptive analgesic strategy are to improve perioperative analgesia and reduce opioid and general anaesthetic drug requirements. In prey species, an early recovery of voluntary motor function, especially after a regional anaesthesia, is essential for the animal's health and welfare. To reduce motor paralysis, a low volume and concentration of local anaesthetic should be administered close to the targeted nerve. This is the first report of an ultrasound (14 MHz linear probe)‐ and nerve stimulation (0.2 mA; 0.3 second; 2 Hz)‐guided saphenous and sciatic nerve blocks using bupivacaine (0.125%; 0.2 mL/kg per nerve) in a rabbit. Drug consumption, physiological response to surgery and postoperative pain scoring were used to determine block success. The ultrasound‐ and nerve stimulation‐guided sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks could be recommended as part of multimodal pain management in rabbits undergoing appropriate pelvic limb orthopaedic surgeries.

Ultrasound-Guided Saphenous Nerve Block in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A Cadaveric Study Comparing Two Injectate Volumes

“…In dogs, the peripheral block of the SN has been shown to provide desensitization of the medial and cranial aspects of the distal limb (including the stifle) without affecting the motor function of the quadriceps femoris muscle [9,19]. Due to the neuro-anatomical similarities between dogs and rabbits [16,17,19,20], it is likely that this also applies to rabbits. Two previous studies reported successful blockade of FN (and sciatic nerve) using electrical stimulation in rabbits undergoing pelvic limb orthopedic procedures [17,18].…”

“…Recently, a case report describing the use of a combined US-guided and nerve stimulation-guided saphenous and sciatic nerves blocks in a pet rabbit undergoing calcaneal fracture repair demonstrated the effectiveness in peri-operative pain management with no impairment of motor function in the affected limb [ 20 ].…”