Comparison of Seda-Block and Xylazine-Ketamine Anaesthesia for Metacarpal and Radioulnar Osteosynthesis in Calves

To evaluate the clinical feasibility and anaesthetic efficacy of a combined Bier block and brachial plexus block administered with xylazine sedation (seda-block) for metacarpal and radioulnar osteosynthesis in neonatal calves, and to compare this technique with conventional xylazine-ketamine anaesthesia.

Prospective controlled pilot study.

Fourteen client-owned neonatal calves undergoing unilateral forelimb osteosynthesis.

Calves were randomly allocated to two groups: seda-block (SB; n = 7), receiving intravenous xylazine combined with brachial plexus block and intravenous regional anaesthesia, and xylazine-ketamine (XK; n = 7), receiving intravenous xylazine followed by ketamine. Sedation quality, desensitization, surgeon satisfaction, xylazine consumption and need for supplemental dosing were evaluated intraoperatively.

Sedation scores, desensitization scores and surgeon satisfaction did not differ significantly between groups. Total xylazine consumption and surgery duration were comparable. Repeated xylazine administration was required in both groups to maintain immobility; however, adequate surgical conditions were achieved without conversion to general anaesthesia in the seda-block group.

The combined use of Bier block and brachial plexus block with xylazine sedation may provide clinically acceptable surgical conditions under the specific conditions of this study, and could represent a practical alternative to general anaesthesia in selected neonatal calves.