Publikationsdatenbank

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

Art

Poster

Autoren

Thieme, Katharina (WE 20)

Mesquita, Luis

Lieberth, Simona (WE 17)

Dancker, Christian (WE 20)

Doherr, Marcus G. (WE 16)

Eule, Johanna C. (WE 20)

Kongress

Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

Salzburg, Austria, 02. – 05.06.2022

Quelle

Veterinary Ophthalmology : an international journal of clinical and investigative ophthalmology

Bandzählung: 26

Heftzählung: 4

Seiten: e22

ISSN: 1463-5216

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vop.13056

DOI: 10.1111/vop.13056

Kontakt

Institut für Veterinär-Epidemiologie und Biometrie

Königsweg 67
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 56034
epi@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Purpose:
Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are expanding in veterinary medicine. 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 the blind and ultrasound-guided injection technique 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 as described by Gilger et al.9 (group 1; n = 44) or under ultrasonographic guidance as described by Morath et al.10 (group 2, n = 44), equally divided between an experienced and inexperienced operator. Needle position and distribution of CM were assessed with computed tomography imaging and evaluated by a board-certified radiologist blinded to the technique. Safety and accuracy of both techniques were compared.

Results:
Major complications were rarely observed. No intrathecal, intraneural, or intravascular injections were seen. Ocular penetration was observed in two cases (n = 2/44) of group 1 and in none of the cases of group 2 (n = 0/44). Safety was significantly improved in group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the injection techniques regarding accuracy of the injection. The CM reached the orbital fissure more often with the ultrasound-guided technique (n = 12/22) than with the blind technique (n = 7/22) when performed by the inexperienced operator, but this difference what not statistically significant.

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