Peripheral nerve blocks of the pelvic limb in dogs: a retrospective clinical study

To evaluate the success rate and complications of lumbar plexus (LP) and femoral nerve (FN) blocks, each combined with a sciatic nerve (SN) block, in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery.

Retrospective clinical study.

The intra-operative and postoperative clinical records of dogs that underwent orthopaedic surgery of the pelvic limb were reviewed. Dogs were divided into two groups according to the analgesic technique used during surgery: dogs that received a peripheral nerve block (group PNB) and dogs in which opioid analgesia alone was used (group C).

The PNB and C groups included 265 and 31 dogs, respectively. Complete statistical analysis was performed in 115/265 dogs of PNB group. The overall success rate of the PNB performed was 77% (89/115): 76% (72/95) and 85% (17/20) for LP-SN and FN-SN blocks, respectively. In group PNB, the prevalence of intra-operative hypotension was 7.8% (9/115). Only one (out of 95 [1.05%]) LP-SN block manifested transient postoperative bilateral pelvic limb paralysis. None of the 265 dogs in group PNB manifested neurological complications at six weeks postoperatively.

The success rate and the absence of neurological complications obtained support the use of LP-SN and FN-SN for loco-regional anaesthesia and analgesia in dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery of the pelvic limb.