Local/Regional Anesthesia Flashcards
What are some of the benefits of choosing local anesthesia over general anesthesia?
(Ruminants are poor candidates for general anesthesia, general anesthesia is expensive, and there is a lower risk of toxic effects if you pursue local anesthesia)
Why are ruminants poor candidates for general anesthesia?
(Regurg, bloat, muscle damage/compartment syndrome)
What is the duration of action for lidocaine?
(1-3 hours)
What is the duration of action of bupivacaine?
(Up to 6 hours)
What are the toxic doses for lidocaine in cattle versus small ruminants?
(Cattle → 10 mg/kg, small ruminants → 5mg/kg)
The potency and duration of activity of local anesthetic can be increased by adding what drug?
(Epinephrine)
What is the mechanism of action of lidocaine?
(Lidocaine blocks the fast voltage-gated sodium channels in neuronal cell membranes and with enough blockage, those sodium channels will not open and an action potential will not be generated)
What needle size and length should be used for an inverted L block?
(18g, 1.5 inch, may need longer for fat cattle)
Why are inverted L blocks not a first choice in small ruminants?
(You need a lot of lidocaine, can be hard to do with their lower toxic dose)
What nerves are being targeted with a distal paravertebral block?
(T13, L1, and L2)
What vertebrae are used as landmarks in a distal paravertebral block?
(L1, L2, and L4)
How much lidocaine should be placed in each site for a distal paravertebral block in cattle?
(10-20mls, will end up being 60-120 mls of lidocaine total)
What vertebrae are used as landmarks in a proximal paravertebral block?
(L1, L2, and L3, need should enter at the cranial edge of each vertebrae and you are targeting where the nerve root emerge from the intervertebral foramen)
What spine space are you aiming for in an caudal epidural?
(S5-C1)
Explain the hang and drop technique that is useful for caudal epidural anesthesia in cattle.
(If you are in the right spot with your needle, if you place a drop of lidocaine in the hub it will be drawn into the needle, then you can attach your syringe and anesthetic can be pushed easily)