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A rat model of nerve stimulator-guided brachial plexus blockade
Yanzi Zhang1, Bo Cui1, Chunyu Gong2
11 Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China.
Laboratory Animals
|July 28, 2018
Summary
Researchers established a nerve stimulator-guided brachial plexus block (BPB) in rats. This feasible and safe animal model enables studying local anesthetics for upper extremity surgery, offering reversible sensory and motor blockade.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Developing effective animal models for regional anesthesia is crucial for pharmacokinetic studies of local anesthetics.
- Existing models like sciatic nerve blockade are insufficient for upper extremity surgical applications.
- A reliable rat model for brachial plexus block (BPB) is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate a nerve stimulator (NS)-guided brachial plexus block (BPB) in a rat model.
- To assess the efficacy and safety of this NS-guided BPB for pharmacokinetic investigations.
- To provide a feasible alternative to sciatic nerve blockade for upper extremity anesthesia research.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical delineation of the rat brachial plexus in cadavers.
- Utilizing a nerve stimulator for precise guidance during BPB procedures.
- Evaluating sensory and motor blockade using local anesthetics (lidocaine, bupivacaine) and saline control in live rats.
Main Results:
- Successful localization of the brachial plexus using the NS-guided technique in all tested animals.
- Demonstrated reversible sensory and motor blockade with lidocaine and bupivacaine, but not saline.
- Bupivacaine produced a significantly longer duration of blockade compared to lidocaine (p < 0.05).
- The NS-guided BPB model in rats was found to be feasible, reproducible, and safe, with no adverse events.
Conclusions:
- A novel and effective rat model for NS-guided brachial plexus block has been successfully established.
- This model provides a safe and reproducible method for studying regional anesthesia in the upper extremities.
- The established rat BPB model is suitable for pharmacokinetic investigations of new local anesthetics and analgesia research.
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