Opioid-free total intravenous anesthesia with bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative pain control in a dog undergoing dorsal hemilaminectomy

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

“…After perforating the thoracolumbar fascia, these lateral branches give innervation to the skin of this region. 9,[63][64][65][66] In the study by Bautista et al, 0.2 ml/kg of lidocaine-dye mixture was administered at the level of the 16th TP. In the horses where the injectate reached the thoracolumbar fascia (85% of the injections), the cranio-caudal spread involved 4.8 ± 1.3 vertebral bodies, with at least one DBSN stained with each injection.…”

“…These studies not only focused on the anatomy of the epaxial region in these species but also on the distribution of a contrast‐dye solution through the erector spinae fascial plane when administered using different ultrasound‐guided approaches. 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 …”

An opioid‐free anaesthesia (OFA) technique for dorsal laminectomy in a dog subsequent to severe bradycardia and hypothermia after previous subcutaneous methadone administration

“…Opioid‐free anaesthesia has been reported in veterinary medicine. However, it is not a routinely used technique and sets challenges to achieve an adequate level of analgesia, especially in patients undergoing more invasive procedures 18–22 …”

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

“…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.…”