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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / Open Approach to the Transversus Abdominis Plane in Horses: ...
Veterinary sciences2024; 11(1); 51; doi: 10.3390/vetsci11010051

Open Approach to the Transversus Abdominis Plane in Horses: A Cadaver Feasibility Study.

Abstract: The study's objective was to evaluate the feasibility and dispersion of an open approach to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in eight adult equine cadavers. A ventral midline incision was made, starting 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus and extending 25 cm cranially. In total, 0.5 mL/kg of new methylene blue (NMB) was injected per horse, divided into six injections. Using an 18 g, 8 cm Tuohy needle, three injections were made per side. The needle was guided blindly into the TAP using palpation. A 60 mL syringe was attached directly to the needle, depositing ~0.08 mL/kg at each site. The time to complete the injections was recorded for each cadaver. Following injection, the ventral body wall was dissected to determine if the dye was present within the TAP space as well as to measure the extent of the dispersion of the dye, the cranial to caudal extent, and the width of the dye's spread. Complete deposition of NMB into the TAP (six of six sites) was achieved in 5/8 horses. The median time needed to perform all the injections was 263 s. Increased adiposity (retroperitoneal fat) was associated with unsuccessful injections. This approach to the TAP was easily and quickly performed, though less successful in horses with increased retroperitoneal fat and increased BCS.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-22 PubMed ID: 38275933PubMed Central: PMC10818621DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010051Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research explores the possibility and effectiveness of an open method to a specific horse muscle layer, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP), using eight adult horse cadavers. It revealed that the procedure was easily and quickly executed, though less successful in horses with more retroperitoneal fat and increased body condition scores.

Objective of the Research

  • The main aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of the feasibility and dispersal extent of an open approach to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in eight cadaver horses. The researchers aimed to inject a dye to ascertain if it could be properly deposited within the TAP space and to map the extent of its spread. The objective was to evaluate this procedure as a potential method for anesthesia in equine treatment.

Methodology

  • A midline incision was initiated 2 cm above the umbilicus (navel) of the horses, extending 25 cm upwards. Following this, a solution of new methylene blue (NMB) was injected into each horse, divided over six injection sites. This was achieved using an 18-gram, 8cm Tuohy needle.
  • Three injections were made on either side of the incision. The needle was directed into the TAP using touch-and-feel guidance. The needle was then attached to a 60 mL syringe, depositing approximately 0.08 mL/kg at each injection site.
  • The time taken to accomplish all the injections was recorded for each horse. After the injection process, the ventral body wall of the horses was dissected to check if the dye was found within the TAP space.
  • The dye’s spread, including its vertical and horizontal reach and its overall width, was also measured and recorded.

Results

  • The study was able to fully deposit the NMB into the TAP in 5 out of the 8 horses, covering all six injection sites. It took an average of 263 seconds to perform all the injections on each cadaver.
  • It was found that increased adiposity, or the amount of retroperitoneal fat (fat stored around the abdomen), was associated with unsuccessful injections. In other words, horses with more fat and a higher body condition score (BCS) experienced less successful outcomes of the procedure.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, this open approach to the TAP block in horses was shown to be easily and quickly performed, making it a potential method for anesthesia in live horses for surgery.
  • However, the method had limited success in horses with excess retroperitoneal fat and increased BCS. This suggests that fat distribution in the horse may influence the success of the procedure and needs to be considered in clinical applications.

Cite This Article

APA
Aitken MR, Floriano DA, Hopster K. (2024). Open Approach to the Transversus Abdominis Plane in Horses: A Cadaver Feasibility Study. Vet Sci, 11(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11010051

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
PII: 51

Researcher Affiliations

Aitken, Maia R
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
Floriano, Dario A
  • Department of Clinical Science and Advanced Medicine-Matthew J. Ryan Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Hopster, Klaus
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.

Grant Funding

  • 015801 / University of Pennsylvania

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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