Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques

This is a concise visual guide to the major techniques of regional anesthesia and analgesia for small animal practitioners, with complete coverage of the relevant physics, physiology, and pharmacology.

    Provides straightforward advice and easy-to-implement strategies for general veterinary practitioners without specialist training who want to incorporate regional anesthesia into their practice
    Features an accessible design with plenty of diagrams and photos and a convenient and robust spiral-bound format that lays flat for use during procedures
    Broken into sections which explain techniques by limb or body part and by species
    Details important anatomy (nerves, bones, and vessels), as well as possible side effects and complications

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction

1. Why provide regional anaesthesia

a. History of regional anaesthesia/analgesia

b. Principles of the major techniques

i. Epidural/spinal

ii. Peripheral nerve blockade

iii. Regional infiltration

iv. Topical application

v. Intra-articular injection

c. Local anaesthetics

i. Mechanism of action

ii. Physico-chemical properties

iii. Specific drugs

1. Lidocaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, bupivacaine

2. Duration of action

3. Side effects

d. Additives to local anaesthetics

i. Opioids

ii. Alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonists

iii. Ketamine

iv. Adrenaline

v. Bicarbonate

vi. Hyaluronidase

2. Equipment

a. Needles

b. Catheters

c. Peripheral nerve stimulators

d. Ultrasonic imaging

e. Differential pressure transducer

f. Acoustic device

3. Complications

a. Local anaesthetic toxicity

b. Adverse effects of technique

4. Species differences and considerations

5. Safe practice

a. Gaining confidence

b. Making a plan

Chapter 2 – Practical application – cutaneous innervation index

1. Head

2. Thoracic limb

3. Pelvic limb

4. Thorax

5. Abdomen

6. Perineum/tail

Chapter 3 – Infiltration Blocks (8 diagrams, 4 photos)

1. Infiltration for mass removal

2. Soaker catheter/pain buster

3. Intercostal blocks

4. Intrapleural block

5. Intraperitoneal block

Chapter 4 – Blocks of the head (12 diagrams, 6 photos)

1. Retrobulbar

2. Maxillary

3. Mandibular (inferior alveolar)

4. Mental (AKA middle mental)

5. Infraorbital

6. Major palatine

7. Auriculotemporal and great auricular

Chapter 5 – Regional anesthetic blocks of the limbs (7 diagrams, 10photos)

H1 Thoracic limb

H2 Brachial plexus (1 diag, 1 photo)

H2 Paravertebral– C6-T1 (1 diag, 2 photo)

H2 RUMM (Radial/Ulnar/Median/Musculocutaneous) (1 diag, 2 photos)

H2 Bier block (Staffieri 2013) (1photo)

H1 Pelvic Limb

H2 Femoral/Saphenous nerve block

H3 Inguinal approach (1 diag, 1 photo)

H3 Lateral pre-iliac approach (caudal lumba plexus block) (1 diag, 1 photo)

H2 Sciatic nerve block (Sacral plexus block)

H3 Lateral approach (1 diag, 1 photo)

H3 Parasacral approach (1 diag, 1 photo)

Chapter 6 – Epidurals/spinals (4 diagrams, 2 photos)

1. Uses

a. Abdominal pain

b. Thoracic pain

c. Hindlimb

d. Perineum/Tail

2. Techniques

a. Lumbosacral

b. Coccygeal

Chapter 7 – Appendices

1. Emergency Procedures

2. Resources

3. References

Index