An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar erector spinae plane (TL-ESP) block in standing horses. A total of 24 injections (<i>n</i> = 12) were performed at the L1 level using either 0.1 mL/kg of saline solution (SS gr...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2264 |
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| author | Francisco Medina-Bautista Irene Nocera Antonia Sánchez de Medina Chiara Di Franco Angela Briganti Juan Morgaz María del Mar Granados |
| author_facet | Francisco Medina-Bautista Irene Nocera Antonia Sánchez de Medina Chiara Di Franco Angela Briganti Juan Morgaz María del Mar Granados |
| author_sort | Francisco Medina-Bautista |
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| description | The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar erector spinae plane (TL-ESP) block in standing horses. A total of 24 injections (<i>n</i> = 12) were performed at the L1 level using either 0.1 mL/kg of saline solution (SS group) or 2% lidocaine (LID group). The block feasibility was assessed based on needle visualization and injection time, while efficacy was evaluated through craniocaudal and dorsoventral (DV) spread using the pinprick technique over 270 min. Desensitization was observed at least once in 100% of horses in the LID group and in 75% in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.001). However, in the SS group, desensitization was primarily limited to the Th18 metamer at the 2 cm DV position, with a shorter duration compared to the LID group. The block onset occurred at 22.5 (11.25–60) min in the LID group and at 5 (5–30) min in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.069). The number of affected metamers was significantly higher in the LID group (2 [1–3]) compared to the SS group (1 [1–2.25], <i>p</i> = 0.014). At the 2 cm DV point, the end of the block effect occurred at 135 (120–210) min in the LID group and at 60 (3.75–60) min in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Needle visualization was excellent in 95.8% of cases, and the mean injection time was 2.5 (2–3) min. These findings confirm that the TL-ESP block is a feasible technique in standing horses. However, its effect is predominantly localized to dorsal dermatomes with a limited ventral spread. Future studies evaluating larger volumes and multiple injection sites are warranted to enhance its clinical applicability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b3d9ca3016d748b3aa0e16ff9b9d91cb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-b3d9ca3016d748b3aa0e16ff9b9d91cb2025-08-20T04:00:49ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-08-011515226410.3390/ani15152264An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in HorsesFrancisco Medina-Bautista0Irene Nocera1Antonia Sánchez de Medina2Chiara Di Franco3Angela Briganti4Juan Morgaz5María del Mar Granados6Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, SpainInstitute of Life Sciences, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Via Santa Cecilia 3, 56127 Pisa, ItalyAnimal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyAnimal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, SpainAnimal Medicine and Surgery Department, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, SpainThe objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar erector spinae plane (TL-ESP) block in standing horses. A total of 24 injections (<i>n</i> = 12) were performed at the L1 level using either 0.1 mL/kg of saline solution (SS group) or 2% lidocaine (LID group). The block feasibility was assessed based on needle visualization and injection time, while efficacy was evaluated through craniocaudal and dorsoventral (DV) spread using the pinprick technique over 270 min. Desensitization was observed at least once in 100% of horses in the LID group and in 75% in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.001). However, in the SS group, desensitization was primarily limited to the Th18 metamer at the 2 cm DV position, with a shorter duration compared to the LID group. The block onset occurred at 22.5 (11.25–60) min in the LID group and at 5 (5–30) min in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.069). The number of affected metamers was significantly higher in the LID group (2 [1–3]) compared to the SS group (1 [1–2.25], <i>p</i> = 0.014). At the 2 cm DV point, the end of the block effect occurred at 135 (120–210) min in the LID group and at 60 (3.75–60) min in the SS group (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Needle visualization was excellent in 95.8% of cases, and the mean injection time was 2.5 (2–3) min. These findings confirm that the TL-ESP block is a feasible technique in standing horses. However, its effect is predominantly localized to dorsal dermatomes with a limited ventral spread. Future studies evaluating larger volumes and multiple injection sites are warranted to enhance its clinical applicability.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2264ultrasounderector spinae plane blockhorseback |
| spellingShingle | Francisco Medina-Bautista Irene Nocera Antonia Sánchez de Medina Chiara Di Franco Angela Briganti Juan Morgaz María del Mar Granados An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses Animals ultrasound erector spinae plane block horse back |
| title | An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses |
| title_full | An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses |
| title_fullStr | An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses |
| title_short | An Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block: An Experimental Preliminary Study in Horses |
| title_sort | ultrasound guided thoracolumbar erector spinae plane block an experimental preliminary study in horses |
| topic | ultrasound erector spinae plane block horse back |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2264 |
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