Use of Spinal Anaesthesia with Anaesthetic Block of Intercostal Nerves Compared to a Continuous Infusion of Sufentanyl to Improve Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Unilateral Mastectomy

Simple Summary Postoperative analgesia is very important because pain causes various negative effects that prevent patient recovery. Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of subarachnoid anaesthesia combined with intercostal nerve block compared with a constant-rate infusion of sufentanyl citrate in cats undergoing unilateral mastectomy. This study demonstrated that the use of spinal anaesthesia with anaesthetic block of intercostal nerves, using levobupivacaine, guarantees long-lasting and high-quality analgesic coverage and minimises the post-surgical pain inevitably associated with invasive surgical procedures such as radical mastectomy. This study stemmed from a general trend towards increasing attention on postoperative pain after spaying procedures in cats. Since veterinarians are becoming more focused on relieving surgical pain, anaesthetists are expected to use better protocols that can minimise pain and therefore optimise surgical results. This method, considering the relative simplicity of its execution, can be used in daily clinical practice. Unilateral mastectomy is a common surgical procedure in feline species and requires postoperative pain management. Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of subarachnoid anaesthesia combined with an intercostal nerve block, in comparison with the use of sufentanyl citrate administered as a constant-rate infusion (CRI). Twenty cats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10/group) based on the analgesic protocol used: the first received loco-regional anaesthesia with levobupivacaine (LR group), and the second received a CRI of sufentanyl (SUF group). The evaluation criteria during surgery were the need for a bolus of fentanyl in the event of an increased heart rate or increased blood pressure. In the postoperative period, the levels of comfort/discomfort and pain were used to obtain a score according to the UNESP-Botucatu multimodal scale. Subjects who scored above seven received analgesic drug supplementation. Intraoperative analgesia was satisfactory, with good haemodynamic stability in both groups. Four patients in the LR group required an extra dose of methadone after they achieved the sternal decubitus position, whereas those in the SUF group required many more doses. The analgesia achieved in the LR group was more satisfactory than that in the SUF group.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that spinal anaesthesia combined with intercostal nerve block using levobupivacaine significantly improved postoperative analgesia after unilateral mastectomy in cats compared to a constant-rate infusion of sufentanyl citrate.