Work

Comparison of lidocaine incisional block techniques on early postoperative pain scores in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To compare postoperative pain scores following lidocaine incisional block techniques (infiltration versus splash methods) with an intraperitoneal splash block in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Study design Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, clinical study. Animals A total of 30 client-owned female dogs. Methods All dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.02 mg kg –1 ). General anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Fentanyl (2 μg kg –1 ) was administered intravenously before skin incision, and lidocaine (4 mg kg –1 ) splashed intraperitoneally during surgery. Dogs were randomly divided into two groups ( n = 15 per group) based on incisional block technique, with blocks performed at the end of surgery. Group INC was administered incisional infiltration of lidocaine (2 mg kg –1 plus equal volume of saline, final dilution of 1%), with injection into subcutaneous tissues along in the incision. Group SP was administered an incisional splash of lidocaine on the subcutaneous tissues before skin closure. Both techniques were performed in each group, lidocaine for the designated treatment and saline for the other. Postoperative physiological variables were measured and pain was evaluated using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale–Short Form (CMPS-SF) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after extubation. Data were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed model with Bonferroni correction. Results At 120 minutes after extubation, CMPS-SF pain scores were significantly lower in group SP than in group INC (1.9 ± 0.9 versus 2.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.002; mean ± standard deviation). However, pain scores in both groups were below the intervention threshold for rescue. No dogs required rescue analgesia. Conclusions and clinical relevance Both lidocaine incisional infiltration and splash, combined with intraperitoneal splash, provided effective analgesia for up to 2 hours postoperatively in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Lidocaine incisional splash is recommended as a simpler technique associated with lower pain scores.

Source: Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2025.04.003

Authors: Wanwisa Chaoum, Piyasak Wipoosak, B. Duncan X. Lascelles, Supranee Jitpean, Naruepon Kampa, Thanikul Srithunyarat

Institutions: Khon Kaen University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Duke University

Language: English

Topic: Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000