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Ultrasound-guided medial approach to the sciatic nerve in dogs: a cadaveric study
Shengwei Qiao1, Cristina Costa-Farré1, Neus Casanovas Combalia1
1Anesthesia Service, Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
|February 21, 2026
Summary
A novel ultrasound-guided medial approach to the canine sciatic nerve is feasible and provides comparable injectate distribution to the lateral technique. While initially slower, this method offers a viable alternative for sciatic nerve blocks in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Anesthesiology
- Regional Anesthesia
- Canine Anatomy
Background:
- Sciatic nerve blocks are crucial for analgesia in dogs.
- Conventional lateral approaches may have limitations.
- Ultrasound guidance enhances precision in nerve blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a novel ultrasound-guided medial approach to the canine sciatic nerve.
- To compare its feasibility and injectate distribution with the conventional lateral approach in canine cadavers.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, cadaveric study involving seven adult canine cadavers (14 pelvic limbs).
- Ultrasound-guided medial and lateral approaches to the sciatic nerve at the mid-femoral level.
- Injection of a lidocaine and iobitridol mixture, followed by CT assessment of injectate distribution.
Main Results:
- Both medial and lateral approaches were successful, with ultrasound confirming perineural injectate spread.
- The medial approach had a significantly longer procedural time (95.5s vs. 64.1s, p=0.03).
- Computed tomography showed comparable nerve coverage and contrast spread between the two approaches.
Conclusions:
- The ultrasound-guided medial approach is feasible in canine cadavers, yielding similar injectate distribution to the lateral technique.
- The longer procedural time for the medial approach may decrease with experience.
- This technique presents a viable alternative for canine sciatic nerve blocks, especially when lateral access is challenging.
