An ultrasound-guided technique for axillary brachial plexus nerve block in rabbits

Abstract

Regional anesthesia techniques, such as nerve blocks, are routinely used in humans and can contribute to multimodal approaches to pain management in research animals. Ultrasound guidance is an emerging aspect of regional anesthesia that has the potential to optimize local delivery and distribution of anesthetic agents, thereby reducing the amounts of these agents that must be administered. The authors developed an ultrasound-guided technique for effective block of the axillary brachial plexus in rabbits. They used this technique to carry out nerve block in 14 rabbits. The procedure was accomplished in a relatively short amount of time and achieved successful nerve block in all rabbits with no adverse effects. Sonographic visualization of the distribution of the local anesthetic ropivacaine led to administration of smaller anesthetic doses in eight of the rabbits without affecting the duration of nerve block. The authors conclude that their technique is feasible and safe and provides effective analgesia of the thoracic limb in rabbits. They recommend that this technique be integrated into multimodal approaches to pain management in rabbits undergoing thoracic limb surgery.

Ultrasound and gross anatomy of the brachial plexus and major nerves of the forelimb. An anesthetic approach using the domestic rabbit (Oyctolagus cuniculus) as an experimental model1

“…Therefore, one can administer the appropriate minimum quantity to soak these nerve structures. In the above study 8 , the researchers mentioned a reduction of 12.5 to 25% of the volume of anesthetic in some animals without reducing the duration of sensory and motor blockade. Furthermore, reducing the volume of the local anesthetic makes the procedure safer regarding poisoning, which is common in animals with small body weight.…”

“…This goal can be more effectively achieved by using sonographic visualization rather than being performed blindly. Furthermore, a recent study performed with rabbits showed that this combination of techniques enables successful nerve block in a short time 8 . In our study, we reproduce the technique with ease successfully in all the animals tested.…”

“…Through a simple-resolution ultrasound device and a nerve stimulator (Stimuplex HNS 12; Bbraun; Melsugen AG, Melsugen, Germany) we performed the axillary brachial plexus block similarly with a recently technique described in rabbits 8 .…”

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional Anatomical Landmark Guided, Perineural Ultrasound Guided and Perivascular Colour Doppler Guided Brachial Plexus Block In Sheep

“…The results suggest the clinical feasibility of ultrasoundguided brachial plexus block in bovine medicine [21].According to Gofeld et al (2013), ultrasonography is an alternative imaging method for localization and examination of peripheral nerves and allows serial examinations over almost any anatomical region so that a long length of a nerve can be studied under dynamic conditions where changes in body position or orientation may influence the nerve's location [16]. Fonseca et al (2015) stated that ultrasound guidance is an emerging aspect of regional anesthesia that has the potential to optimize local delivery and distribution of anesthetic agents in rabbits, thereby reducing the amounts of these agents that must be administered. They recommend that this technique be integrated into multimodal approaches to pain management in rabbits undergoing thoracic limb surgery [10].…”

“…Fonseca et al (2015) stated that ultrasound guidance is an emerging aspect of regional anesthesia that has the potential to optimize local delivery and distribution of anesthetic agents in rabbits, thereby reducing the amounts of these agents that must be administered. They recommend that this technique be integrated into multimodal approaches to pain management in rabbits undergoing thoracic limb surgery [10]. Ghadirian et al, 2016 did the comparison of lidocaine, lidocaine-morphine, lidocainetramadol or bupivacaine for neural blockade of the brachial plexus in fat-tailed lambs and concluded that the addition of morphine or tramadol to lidocaine did not affect the duration of antinociception of lidocaine for brachial plexus block in fat-tailed lambs [14].…”