A novel approach for regional anaesthesia of the auricular region in horses: an anatomic and imaging study.
Abstract: To investigate the anatomy of the ear innervation in horses and develop a new approach for the block of the internal and external pinna and acoustic meatus. Methods: Prospective, descriptive, cadaveric study. Methods: A total of 25 heads and necks from horse cadavers. Methods: Phase I: anatomical dissection and dye deposition on 19 heads. With the head positioned in lateral recumbency, 10 mL methylene blue (1:1 sterile water) for the internal auricular and 2 mL for the great auricular nerve block were injected in 21 ears (seven left, 10 right and two bilaterally). The anatomy of all the ears (bilaterally) and the accuracy of dye deposition (successful nerve staining defined as > 2 cm) was assessed following dissection. Occurrence of intraparotid, intravascular, or intraneural injection was recorded. Phase II: the same technique and volumes were applied, bilaterally, using a lidocaine 2%:iohexol solution mixture (3:1) in six different cadavers. Computed tomography was performed and the needle position and spread of the mixture evaluated and recorded. Results: Phase I: Inter- and intraindividual differences were found in the anatomy of the great auricular nerve, but not in the internal and lateral auricular nerve branches and the caudal auricular nerve. No auriculotemporal nerve was found. Nerve staining was successful in 95% of the cases for the great auricular nerve, 85% of the cases for the internal auricular nerve, and 100% of the cases for the lateral auricular branch and caudal auricular nerve. Failure was observed in horses with abundant periauricular fat. No intravascular, intraparotid or intraneural injections occurred. Phase II: A 100% success rate was recorded from computed tomography images. Conclusions: The described approach seems suitable for blockade of the sensory innervation of the equine ear.
Copyright © 2017 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-01-11 PubMed ID: 28506780DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2016.03.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a new method for performing regional anaesthesia in the auricular (ear) region of horses. This innovative technique was developed based on an extensive study of equine ear anatomy and imaging analysis.
Article Methodology
- The research employed a prospective, descriptive, cadaveric study design focused on understanding the anatomy of a horse’s ear to develop a more effective regional anaesthetic technique for this area.
- A total of 25 horse cadaver heads and necks were used in the study.
- During Phase I, researchers performed an anatomical dissection and dye deposition on 19 of the horse heads. Using methylene blue, they performed blocks of the internal auricular and great auricular nerves and assessed the accuracy of dye deposition and the overall anatomy of the ears.
- Information was recorded on occurrences of intraparotid, intravascular, or intraneural injection, which could indicate complications in the technique.
- In Phase II, the same anaesthetic technique and volumes were applied in another six different cadavers, using a mixture of lidocaine (anaesthetic) and iohexol (imaging contrast). Computed tomography was subsequently used to evaluate the mixture spread and needle position.
Article Results
- In Phase I, there were noted differences in the anatomy of the great auricular nerve, but consistency was found among the internal and lateral auricular nerve branches and the caudal auricular nerve.
- A positive nerve staining was noted in 95% of cases for the great auricular nerve, 85% for the internal auricular nerve, and 100% for the lateral auricular branch and caudal auricular nerve. The failures were linked to horses with an abundant amount of fat around the ear.
- There were no recorded incidences of intravascular, intraparotid, or intraneural injections.
- In Phase II, computed tomography showed a 100% success rate in the spread and positioning of the anaesthetic mixture.
Article Conclusion
- The innovative technique described in the study appears effective for blockading the sensory innervation of the equine ear.
- Results indicate this method could potentially be used to provide safe and reliable regional anaesthesia in the auricular region of horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Cerasoli I, Cornillie P, Gasthuys F, Gielen I, Schauvliege S.
(2017).
A novel approach for regional anaesthesia of the auricular region in horses: an anatomic and imaging study.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 44(3), 656-664.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2016.03.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: ilaria.cerasoli@gmail.com.
- Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, Conduction / methods
- Anesthesia, Conduction / veterinary
- Anesthetics, Local
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Dissection / veterinary
- Ear / innervation
- Horses
- Iohexol
- Lidocaine
- Nerve Block / methods
- Nerve Block / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
Citations
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