%0 Journal Article
%T Comparison between Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Sacrococcygeal Epidural in Cats Undergoing Ovariectomy.
%A Dos-Santos JD
%A Ginja M
%A Martins J
%A Cabral P
%A Alves-Pimenta S
%A Ribeiro L
%A Otero PE
%A Colaço B
%J Vet Sci
%V 11
%N 1
%D 2024 Jan 8
%M 38250931
%F 2.518
%R 10.3390/vetsci11010025
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia (ScE) have been used for neutering cats, providing effective pain relief.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To compare the effects of the QLB with those of ScE in cats undergoing ovariectomies.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Feral cats undergoing ovariectomy were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 μg kg-1) and methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with 2-4 mg kg-1 of propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The cats were randomly allocated to the groups QLB (bilateral QLB with 0.4 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine) and ScE (0.3 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine). Hemodynamic data and analgesia rescue were collected at four intraoperative periods. The pain scale and motor block were assessed in both groups during the postoperative period.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The ScE results in increased hypotension, prolonged extubation time, and higher postoperative motor block than the QLB (p < 0.05). The QLB and ScE groups required a similar number of intraoperative rescues and presented the same postoperative pain scale classification.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The QLB with 0.25% bupivacaine is a potential alternative to ScE with 0.25% bupivacaine in perioperative pain management in elective cat ovariectomy. The QLB promoted less hypotension and postoperative motor block when compared with the ScE group.