Clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block for standing lumbar spinous osteotomy in a horse.

This research article explores the use and effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block technique in managing pain for a horse undergoing a lumbar spinous fracture debridement while standing.

Introduction and Background

• The erector spinae plane (ESP) block is an ultrasound-guided technique frequently used to manage pre- and post-operative pain in different regions of the body including thoracic, lumbar and abdominal parts.
• Up to this point, the technique has been implemented and studied in humans, dogs, and cats, with research detailing effective ultrasonographic landmarks and injection distributions.
• For horses, some studies have discussed the distribution of injectates in cadavers and successful pain management in one case of surgery. This study in particular used an ultrasound-guided ESP injection at the sixteenth thoracic (T16) vertebra.

Statement of the Problem

• Despite its previous usage in veterinary medicine, there has been no prospective clinical study demonstrating the efficacy of the ESP block method for surgeries of the thoracolumbar spine in horses. This forms the central research gap that the study aims to address.

Objective of the Study

• The study aims to assess and report on the clinical efficacy of utilizing the ultrasound-guided ESP block as a part of analgesic management for a horse undergoing a surgical debridement of a lumbar spinous fracture in a standing position.

Significance

• The study’s findings could potentially establish a more universal and effective approach towards managing surgical pain in horses, especially for thoracolumbar spine surgeries.
• If successful, the technique could open up possibilities for safer, less stressful surgeries for horses by allowing procedures to take place while the horse is standing, thereby avoiding the risks of general anesthesia.