A Survey-Based Study Into the Use of Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Pelvic Limb Surgery Among Veterinary Professionals With an Interest in Anesthesia.

Peripheral nerve blocks are commonly recommended as perioperative analgesia for orthopedic procedures. We aimed to determine the prevalence of use of techniques and drugs among veterinary professionals with an interest in anesthesia. Veterinary professionals were contacted via an email (ACVA-list) and newsletter (Association of Veterinary Anesthetists) containing a link to an online survey. Surveys completed in full were used for analysis. Analysis found that peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) and epidural analgesia techniques were the preferred techniques of 46% and 38% of individuals, respectively. Of those using PNBs, nerve stimulator techniques were most common, used by 72% of individuals. Bupivacaine was used by 71% of individuals. Adjuvants were used by 37% of respondents; most commonly an alpha-2 agonist. Severe adverse effects were reported by 11 respondents, while 49% of individuals had not witnessed any adverse effects. More experienced veterinary anesthetists (>100 blocks performed) were more likely to have seen adverse effects. In conclusion, PNBs are utilized by anesthetists for pelvic limb orthopedic surgery, with nerve stimulation being the most commonly used PNB technique. Bupivacaine was the most commonly used local anesthetic however, diversity in both the techniques and drugs used was evident among respondents.