Use of an ultrasound-guided block of the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves in seven calves undergoing tenotomy or carpus arthrodesis surgery

This report describes an ultrasound-guided technique to block the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves in seven calves submitted for tenotomy of flexor tendons or carpus arthrodesis surgery. Surgery was performed under sedation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 4) or under isoflurane inhalation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 3). A block of the radial and ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves was performed at the lateral and medial aspect of the brachium, respectively, using a linear ultrasound probe positioned transversely to the mid-humerus. A 19-gauge spinal needle was introduced in-plane through the triceps or transverse pectoral muscle until reaching the target nerves, where 5 ml of lidocaine 20 mg/ml or a mixture of lidocaine 20 mg/ml and detomidine 15 mu g/ml was injected at each site. The calves' cardiovascular parameters varied from baseline by less than 15% during surgery. Complications such as prolonged paralysis or haematoma/swelling at the injection site were not observed.

Automated summary

This report describes an ultrasound-guided technique to block nerves in calves undergoing flexor tendon tenotomy or carpus arthrodesis surgery. The procedure was successful with no complications observed.