Publication Database

Safety and accuracy of blind vs. ultrasound‐guided dorsal retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses:
a cadaveric study (2023)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Thieme, Katharina (WE 20)

Mesquita, Luis

Lieberth, Simona (WE 17)

Dancker, Christian (WE 20)

Doherr, Marcus Georg (WE 16)

Eule, Johanna Corinna (WE 20)

Quelle

Veterinary Ophthalmology : an international journal of clinical and investigative ophthalmology

Bandzählung: 26

Heftzählung: 2

Seiten: 135 – 144

ISSN: 1463-5216

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vop.13053

DOI: 10.1111/vop.13053

Pubmed: 36536509

Kontakt

Pferdeklinik

Oertzenweg 19 b
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62299 / 62300
pferdeklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Objective:
There is limited knowledge regarding the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses. The aim of this study was to compare these parameters between blind and ultrasound-guided injection techniques for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block in horses.

Methods:
Equine cadaver heads were used to inject the retrobulbar space with contrast medium (CM). Injections were performed either blindly based on anatomic landmarks (blind group, n = 44) or under ultrasonographic guidance (US-group, n = 44), equally divided between an experienced and unexperienced operator. Needle position and distribution of CM were assessed with computed tomography imaging and evaluated by a board-certified veterinary diagnostic imager blinded to the technique. Safety and accuracy of both techniques were compared.

Results:
Ocular penetration was observed in two cases (n = 2/44) in the blind group but not in the US group (n = 0/44). No intrathecal, intraneural, or intravascular injections were seen in either group. Safety was significantly improved in the US group (p = .026). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the accuracy of the injection. Excellent accuracy was achieved more often with the ultrasound-guided technique (n = 11/22) than with the blind technique (n = 7/22) when performed by the unexperienced operator, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:
To prevent globe-threatening complications and improve the safety of the injection, we recommend using the ultrasound-guided injection technique for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block.