Inverted L paralumbar anesthesia, anesthesia of the distal limb via vascular (IV) infusion, anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in cattle

Question 1

Inverted L paralumbar anesthesia

Basic technique

Answer 1

• A local block in tissue bordering:
• the caudal aspect of the 13th rib
• the ventral aspect of transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae

Question 2

Inverted L paralumbar anesthesia

Advantages

Answer 2

• Very simple (generally)
• Does not interfere with the patient’s locomotion
• Does not require in-depth knowledge of anatomy

Question 3

Inverted L paralumbar anesthesia

Disadvantages

Answer 3

• Peritoneum?
• Multiple injection: more pain or more abscessation
• Excess anesthetic solution is used → healing abnormalities

Question 4

Anesthesia of the distal limb via vascular (IV) infusion

Indications

Answer 4

• Surgery distal to the fetlock joint: foot surgery or claw amputation
• Front or rear limbs

Question 5

Anesthesia of the distal limb via vascular (IV) infusion

Preinfusion procedures

Answer 5

• Lateral recumbency
• Positive leg restraint
• Preanesthetic sedation or analgesia
• Clean the area proximal to the fetlock joint
• Prepare the area: remove the hair,scrubbing

Question 6

Anesthesia of the distal limb via vascular (IV) infusion

Materials

Answer 6

• Rubber tubing of adequate tensile strength to control vascularity of the distal limb
• 1 to 1.5-inch, 20 to 22G sterile disposable needle
• 20-ml syringe
• 2% lidocaine (no epinephrine)

Question 7

Anesthesia of the distal limb via vascular (IV) infusion

Technique

Answer 7

• Apply the rubber tubing and apply marked tension
• Venous identification: allow adequate time
• Insert the needle - with no syringe attached - into the vein
• Blood should fill the needle hub
• Attach the syringe and aspirate slightly
• Infuse 15 to 20 ml of anesthetic solution (mature cattle) slowly
• Remove the needle
• Apply pressure on the insertion point
• Remove the rubber tubing

Question 8

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Indication

Answer 8

• Cornuectomy

Question 9

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Preinfusion procedures

Answer 9

• Good standing restraint + head restraint
• Preanesthetic sedation or analgesia (hyperactive animals)
• Preparation: removal of hair, cleaning and desinfection

Question 10

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Materials

Answer 10

• to 1.5-inch, 16- to 18G sterile needle
• 10-ml syringe
• 2% lidocaine (epinephrine optional)

Question 11

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Technique

Answer 11

• Lateral edge of the frontal bone
• Lateral canthus of the eye and the base of the horn: halve it
• Insert the needle (without the syringe at) under the frontal bone
• The depth of insertion:
o 1 cm (0.5 inches) in small animals
o 3 cm (1.5 inches) in large bulls
• Attach the syringe and infuse 5 to 10 ml of 2% lidocaine
• Continue infusing in a ventral and medial direction
• Allow 5 to 10 minutes for anesthesia

Question 12

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Skin block

Answer 12

• The cornual block does not effectively anesthetize the skin

Question 13

Anesthesia of the horn (cornual nerve block) in a cattle

Anesthesia in cattle

Answer 13

General considerations
• Standing restraint: prevents udder and teat trauma ↔ lateral recumbency restraint
• Theoretically: anesthesia of L2 and L3 nerves effectively anesthetizes foreteats, but
• Practically: not give satisfactory foreteat anesthesia
• Sedation and analgesia
• Nerve block: for extensive foreteat surgery
• General anesthesia: for extensive teat or udder surgery under clinical conditions
• Individual teat anesthesia: under common field conditions