Peripheral nerve blocks play a critical role in pain management; however, no technique has been described to specifically target the articular nerve branches of the elbow in dogs. This study aimed to develop and compare the success rate of an ultrasound-guided versus a blind pericapsular elbow desensitization (PED) technique in canine cadavers. Phase I involved gross and ultrasonographic evaluations of the elbow joint in four cadavers to identify landmarks for the PED technique. Phase II compared the ultrasound-guided and blind PED techniques using dye injections in eight cadavers, followed by the dissection and histological analysis of stained tissues to confirm nerve involvement. The results demonstrated that four quadrant injections are required to target the articular branches of the radial, ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous nerves. The ultrasound-guided technique achieved a significantly higher overall success rate (77.5%) than the blind technique (45%, p = 0.005). While both techniques showed similar success rates (50–62.5%) for the ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous branches, the ultrasound-guided technique (100%) outperformed the blind technique for the cranial (37%, p = 0.02) and caudal (12.5%, p = 0.001) articular branches of the radial nerve. These findings provide a foundation for future clinical studies evaluating the ultrasound-guided PED technique in live animals.

Regional anesthesia techniques targeting articular nerve branches offer promising avenues for managing articular pain. This study developed and compared the success rates of an ultrasound-guided versus a blind pericapsular knee desensitization (PKD) technique in canine cadavers. In Phase I, gross dissection and ultrasound evaluations were performed in eight limbs to characterize the anatomy of the medial (MAN), lateral (LAN), and posterior (PAN) articular branches of the saphenous, common fibular, and tibial nerves, respectively, and to identify suitable anatomical and ultrasonographic landmarks. In Phase II, ultrasound-guided and blind PKD injections of a dye solution were randomly performed in 10 cadavers (20 limbs), followed by dissection and histological assessment of staining accuracy. The ultrasound-guided technique achieved a significantly higher overall success rate (96.7%) than the blind technique (73.3%; p = 0.02). The MAN was successfully stained in 100% of ultrasound-guided and 50% of blind injections (p = 0.03), while the LAN and PAN were stained with high but comparable success. Parent nerve involvement was minimal for MAN and PAN but frequent for the common fibular nerve following LAN injections. Histological confirmation supported the anatomical findings, although PAN identification remained inconsistent. These results support the feasibility and increased precision of ultrasound-guided PKD, providing a foundation for further clinical evaluation.

It is known that skin healing in cats is slower and has a higher complication rate than in dogs, what leads to search for new resources to enhance this process. Omentum properties in the aid of tissue repair are known and, among the forms of extraperitoneal omentalization, the use of free omental grafts without vascular anastomosis is advantageous, but little studied; there is no knowledge about its effect on skin healing, nor if it’s still viable when implanted in the subcutaneous space. Thus, the present study aimed to describe possible alterations produced by free omental graft without anastomosis inserted in the subcutaneous space, by means of macroscopic clinical analysis of the implantation region in cats. Twenty intact female cats were divided into two groups (Group 1: treated animals; Group 2: controls) of similar size. All animals were subjected to ovariosalpingohysterectomy (OSH) prior to the induction of an experimental wound for the implantation of the omental graft. Wounds were evaluated on days 1, 2, 4, 8, and 15 postsurgery and then weekly until no lesions were noted. Data regarding color, consistency, presence or absence of crusts, wound resistance, and volume measurements were recorded. There was activation of the omentum on the 4th day of evaluation with reduction of hemorrhage and an increase in the resistance to traction of the experimental wound. We concluded that the omentum without vascular anastomosis is capable of maintaining its viability and exert positive influence on the repair process without showing deleterious signs on the implantation site.