Comparison between Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Sacrococcygeal Epidural in Cats...

Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia (ScE) have been used for neutering cats, providing effective pain relief.

To compare the effects of the QLB with those of ScE in cats undergoing ovariectomies.

Feral cats undergoing ovariectomy were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 μg kg^-1) and methadone (0.2 mg kg^-1) intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with 2-4 mg kg^-1 of propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The cats were randomly allocated to the groups QLB (bilateral QLB with 0.4 mL kg^-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine) and ScE (0.3 mL kg^-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine). Hemodynamic data and analgesia rescue were collected at four intraoperative periods. The pain scale and motor block were assessed in both groups during the postoperative period.

The ScE results in increased hypotension, prolonged extubation time, and higher postoperative motor block than the QLB (p < 0.05). The QLB and ScE groups required a similar number of intraoperative rescues and presented the same postoperative pain scale classification.

The QLB with 0.25% bupivacaine is a potential alternative to ScE with 0.25% bupivacaine in perioperative pain management in elective cat ovariectomy. The QLB promoted less hypotension and postoperative motor block when compared with the ScE group.