Use of Caudal <i>Quadratus Lumborum</i> Block with Ropivacaine as Part of an Opioid-Free Analgesic Protocol in Dogs Undergoing Orchiectomy: A Randomized Trial
Andrea Paolini,
Roberta Bucci,
Amanda Bianchi,
Francesca Del Signore,
Salvatore Parrillo,
Alessandro Di Giosia,
Claudia Ristori,
Roberto Tamburro,
Domenico Robbe,
Augusto Carluccio,
Valeria Rosa,
Massimo Vignoli
Affiliations
Andrea Paolini
Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Roberta Bucci
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Veterinary Andrology Clinic Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Amanda Bianchi
Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Francesca Del Signore
Small Animal Imaging Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Salvatore Parrillo
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Veterinary Andrology Clinic Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Alessandro Di Giosia
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Veterinary Andrology Clinic Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Claudia Ristori
Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Roberto Tamburro
Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Domenico Robbe
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Veterinary Andrology Clinic Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Augusto Carluccio
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Veterinary Andrology Clinic Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Valeria Rosa
Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Massimo Vignoli
Small Animal Imaging Service, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
In veterinary medicine, the use of loco-regional anesthesia techniques is increasing. The Quadratus Lumborum block (QL) is an interfascial loco-regional technique that involves the release of local anesthetic (LA) between the Quadratus Lumborum and the Small Psoas (Pm) muscle. The study aims to evaluate the effect of the QL block on reducing the total amount of opioids in dogs undergoing pre-scrotal orchiectomy. A group of 36 dogs was enrolled in a randomized blinded study. The animals were divided into two groups: 18 in the experimental group (QL) and 18 in the control group (C). The QL group received 0.4 mL kg−1 of ropivacaine 0.5% for each hemiabdomen (total amount of 3 mg kg−1 of ropivacaine, 1.5 mg kg−1 per side). The C group was brought into the operating room (OR) after receiving the same clipping as the QL group. In the intraoperative period, opioid consumption in the QL group was significantly lower than in the C group. No differences were found in the post-operative phase. No side effects were reported when performing the QL technique. The QL block performed at the level of L6 appears to be a valid approach to reducing opioid use in dogs undergoing orchidectomy with a pre-scrotal surgical approach.
