Postoperative Analgesic Effect of Bilateral Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) for Canine Laparoscopic Ovariectomy: Comparison of Two Concentrations of Ropivacaine

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the transverse quadratus lumborum block (QLBLQL-T) on time to the first postoperative rescue analgesia in dogs submitted to laparoscopic ovariectomy. A total of twenty-three female dogs were included. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a bilateral QLBLQL-T, performed either with 0.3 mL kg−1 ropivacaine 0.5% [group QLB0.5% (n = 8)] or with ropivacaine 0.33% [group QLB0.33% (n = 8)] or a fentanyl-based protocol [group No-QLB (n = 7)]. Dogs were premedicated intravenously (IV) with fentanyl 5 mcg kg−1, general anesthesia was induced IV with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) values were recorded five minutes before and five minutes after performing the QLBLQL-T. The short-form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale was used every hour after extubation, and methadone 0.2 mg kg−1 was administered IV when pain score was ≥5/24. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA test combined with Tukey post hoc test, Student’s T-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze data; p < 0.05. Time from QLBLQL-T to the first rescue analgesia was significantly longer in QLB0.5% than in group QLB0.33% and No-QLB. MAP pre- and post-block decreased significantly only in group QLB0.33%.

Use of Caudal Quadratus Lumborum Block with Ropivacaine as Part of an Opioid-Free Analgesic Protocol in Dogs Undergoing Orchiectomy: A Randomized Trial

“…Regarding the post-operative period, no significant differences were found between the groups. Several loco-regional clinical studies on IFP blocks are in agreement with the results of this study [20][21][22][23][24]46]. There could be several reasons for these results.…”

“…Several clinical studies on the use of IFP techniques also seem to agree with the findings of this study [20][21][22][23][24]. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first clinical study on the use of the QL block performed at the L6 level to provide analgesia in dogs undergoing elective orchiectomies.…”

“…One of the great advantages of local anesthetic (LA) use is the blockage of sodium channels in order to prevent the "memory of the nociceptive stimuli and pain" [4]. In recent years, clinical studies on loco-regional anesthesia in dogs have focused on interfascial plane (IFP) techniques such as the Trasversus Abdominis plane (TAP) block, Erector Spinae plane (ESP) block, the Serratus plane (SP) block, and the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) block [20][21][22][23][24][25]. The IFP blocks are relatively simple to perform, with a high rate of success.…”

“…Several other cadaveric studies on QL at the L1 level have been published, describing various approaches and different anesthetic injection sites [26][27][28][29][30]. The use of the QL block has an effective sparing effect on systemic analgesia during the perioperative period, including a reduction in opioid consumption [21,24,[26][27][28]30]. The QL block is relatively fast and easy to perform, especially when performed by an anesthesiologist with proven experience.…”

Evaluation of the Quality of Recovery from General Anesthesia in Dogs with Two Different Low Doses of Dexmedetomidine

“…Dogs were then induced with propofol (Proposure, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Noventana, Italy S.p.A.) to effect until endotracheal intubation was achievable and was maintained with isoflurane (Vetflurane, Virbac S.r.l., Milan, Italy). In case of surgeries (which included ovariectomy or orchiectomy), all patients received locoregional anesthesia with a bilateral quadratus lumborum nerve block (0.3 mL/kg for each point, with ropivacaine 0.5%) [16] or intratesticular (0.2 mL/kg for each testicle, with ropivacaine 0.5%) [17]. During the surgical/diagnostic procedure, patient monitoring was performed as routine.…”