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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(15); 2264; doi: 10.3390/ani15152264

An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar erector spinae plane (TL-ESP) block in standing horses. A total of 24 injections ( = 12) were performed at the L1 level using either 0.1 mL/kg of saline solution (SS group) or 2% lidocaine (LID group). The block feasibility was assessed based on needle visualization and injection time, while efficacy was evaluated through craniocaudal and dorsoventral (DV) spread using the pinprick technique over 270 min. Desensitization was observed at least once in 100% of horses in the LID group and in 75% in the SS group ( = 0.001). However, in the SS group, desensitization was primarily limited to the Th18 metamer at the 2 cm DV position, with a shorter duration compared to the LID group. The block onset occurred at 22.5 (11.25-60) min in the LID group and at 5 (5-30) min in the SS group ( = 0.069). The number of affected metamers was significantly higher in the LID group (2 [1-3]) compared to the SS group (1 [1-2.25], = 0.014). At the 2 cm DV point, the end of the block effect occurred at 135 (120-210) min in the LID group and at 60 (3.75-60) min in the SS group ( = 0.001). Needle visualization was excellent in 95.8% of cases, and the mean injection time was 2.5 (2-3) min. These findings confirm that the TL-ESP block is a feasible technique in standing horses. However, its effect is predominantly localized to dorsal dermatomes with a limited ventral spread. Future studies evaluating larger volumes and multiple injection sites are warranted to enhance its clinical applicability.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-01 PubMed ID: 40805053PubMed Central: PMC12345547DOI: 10.3390/ani15152264Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper investigates the feasibility and efficacy of performing a particular type of anaesthesia, called a thoracolumbar erector spinae plane (TL-ESP) block, in standing horses. The researchers compared the use of saline solution against 2% lidocaine and found that the technique is feasible and has a predominantly dorsal therapeutic effect, but that further research is necessary to improve its clinical application.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study aimed to understand if a TL-ESP block—where anaesthesia is injected into a certain part of the back—could be carried out on standing horses. A total of 24 injections were performed, divided into two groups: one receiving a saline solution (the SS group), and the other receiving 2% lidocaine (the LID group).
  • Needle visualization and injection time were used as indicators of the procedure’s feasibility. The effect of the anaesthesia, or efficacy, was evaluated in two different ways by using a pinprick technique over four and a half hours to see how widely and how effectively the anaesthetic spread.

Results

  • Desensitization, or numbness, was observed in 100% of the horses in the LID group and 75% in the SS group, indicating that lidocaine was more effective at numbing the horses than the saline solution.
  • The onset time of the block was slower in the LID group (22.5 min) compared to the SS group (5 min), meaning the lidocaine took longer to start working.
  • At the designated injection site (2 cm dorsoventral), the block effect of lidocaine lasted significantly longer than with saline solution—135 min compared to 60 min.
  • Needle visibility was claimed to be excellent in nearly all cases, and it took an average of 2.5 minutes to administer the injection, indicating the procedure was easily feasible.

Discussion and Conclusion

  • The results confirm that the TL-ESP block technique is viable in standing horses, but the block’s effect is mainly limited to dorsal (towards the back) dermatomes with limited spread towards the belly of the animal.
  • The LID group demonstrated a higher number of temporarily numbed zones and lengthier duration, suggesting that lidocaine is a more effective agent for this type of block.
  • Nevertheless, to improve its clinical applicability, further studies are necessary particularly investigating the effects of larger volumes and varying injection sites.

Cite This Article

APA
Medina-Bautista F, Nocera I, Sánchez de Medina A, Di Franco C, Briganti A, Morgaz J, Granados MDM. (2025). An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses. Animals (Basel), 15(15), 2264. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152264

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 15
PII: 2264

Researcher Affiliations

Medina-Bautista, Francisco
  • Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Nocera, Irene
  • Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Via Santa Cecilia 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
Sánchez de Medina, Antonia
  • Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
Di Franco, Chiara
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Briganti, Angela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Morgaz, Juan
  • Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
Granados, María Del Mar
  • Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nocera I, Moroni R, Fanelli D, Rota A, Di Franco C, Ungari C, Puccinelli C, Gandini M, Giusto G, Vannozzi I. Cryptorchidism in Equid: A Retrospective Study on Diagnostic Approach, Anaesthesia Management, Surgical Treatment and Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 9;15(19).
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