A Novel Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Plexus Block: A Cadaveric Canine Study

• Published in: Animals (Basel) Vol. 14; no. 21; p. 3094
• Main Authors: Cañón Pérez, Ariel, Redondo García, José I., Hernández Magaña, Eva Z., Martínez Albiñana, Agustín, Marti-Scharhausen Sánchez, María de los Reyes, Bonastre Ráfales, Cristina, Otero, Pablo E., García Fernández, Ana, Viscasillas, Jaime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-11-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Animal euthanasia; Cadavers; cervical nerves; cervical plexus block; Dissection; dog; Dogs; Flying-machines; interfascial block; Methylene blue; Neck; regional anesthesia; Ultrasonic imaging; Veterinary medicine; Spain; United States > US
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani14213094

The ultrasound-guided cervical plexus plane (US-CPP) block has proven effective in humans; yet its application in dogs remains unexplored. This study aimed to describe a novel US-CPP approach in canines. A local sonoanatomy was mapped, the injection technique was tested, and a gross anatomical dissection (GAD) was performed on one cadaver. The bilateral injectate spread and nerve staining were then evaluated via a CT scan and GAD in the six cadavers. The transducer was aligned parallel to the cervical spine, caudal to the atlas. After identifying the cleidocervical and omotransversarius muscles and the C2-C3 interfascial plane, a spinal needle was inserted in-plane, and 0.15 mL/kg of a dye-contrast solution was injected. CT imaging showed the contrast reaching the C1, C2, and C3 vertebral bodies in 3 out of 12 (3/12), 11/12, and 12/12 injections, respectively, and the C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae in 8/12, 5/12, and 1/12 injections, respectively. No contrast was detected in the epidural space. The C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 nerves were stained in 3/12, 10/12, 8/12, 2/12, and 0/12 injections, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). A single US-CPP injection successfully stained the C2 and C3 nerves, indicating the potential clinical applicability, although the injected volume rarely reached C4 and C5.