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
