EVALUATION OF FEMORAL NERVE BLOCKADE FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN DOGS UNDERGOING STIFLE ARTHROTOMY

The efficacy of the femoral nerve block (FNB) in alleviating postopera tive pain was evaluated in dogs undergoing stifle arthrotomy. The pre- and postoperative nerve blocks were compared to intraarticular admini stration of a local anaesthetic. Forty-eight dogs with a ruptured cran ial cruciate ligament were randomly assigned to the following groups: Group A (n = 16) received a femoral perineural injection prior to surg ery; eight dogs within this group were given 0.5% bupivacaine and eigh t dogs received 0.9% saline. Group B (n = 16) had a femoral perineural injection immediately after surgery; eight dogs received 0.5% bupivac aine and eight received 0.9% saline. Group C (n = 16) dogs were given 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 8) or 0.9% saline (n = 8) intraarticularly. Post operative pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale and a numeric al rating scale, including measurement of heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic pressure. The dogs were scored preoperatively and at zer o to six and at 24 hours after the operation. A significant difference was not noted between groups during the time until the first dose of supplemental analgesia nor in the total dose of supplemental analgesia required. The duration of the operation was found to be negatively co rrelated with the duration of postoperative analgesic effect. There wa s not any significant difference between the groups in pain scores at any time.