Ventral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve in the dog

This prospective study assessed a ventral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve (FN) in dogs. The anatomical features of the FN were evaluated in four canine cadavers. In another five cadavers, the FN was located by ultrasound-guidance and the accuracy of this technique was evaluated by injection of black ink and posterior evaluation of the degree of staining of the nerves. In five live dogs, the FN was blocked with 2% lidocaine. The distribution of lidocaine around the nerve and the presence of motor deficit were evaluated. The FN was easily located and accurately blocked in all cases. This new ultrasound-guided approach was reliable for blocking the FN and might be a suitable alternative to the traditional approaches described to block the FN in the dog. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.