Comparison Between Distal Paravertebral and Line Block Anesthesia for Laparotomy in Goats

Objectives: Towards relate the probability and efficiency of two methods of local anesthesia with Lidocaine 2% for laparotomy in goat. Material and methods: A total of 10 goats experiencing laparotomy were divided into two groups of 5: one group undertook a Line block anesthesia (Line Block) technique consisting of an incisional line block, and the other group undertook distal paravertebral anesthesia (DPVA). Indications for laparotomy were rumenotomy and exploratory laparotomy. The two methods were compared with affection to the reaction of the goats to the application of anesthesia, the degree of difficulty and the amount of time and anesthetic agent required. The reactions of the goats to incision of the various layers of the abdominal wall, abdominal exploration and surgical closure of the abdomen and wound healing time were evaluated. Results: The study was about a comparison of which technique is better for laparotomy. Both techniques required a mean of 5 minutes to complete but the DPVA method was considered more difficult than the LB. Comparison of the two techniques in respect to different types of pain reactions (no reaction, non-specific reaction, specific reaction) during cutting of the different layers of the abdominal wall revealed that DPVA provided significantly better analgesia than the LB. After DPVA, pain reactions to incision of the external oblique abdominal muscle were more severe, but reactions to abdominal exploration and to suturing the two oblique abdominal muscles were significantly milder than after LB and wound healing was significantly better than the LB. Conclusion and clinical significance: Neither technique resulted in the consistent and complete elimination of pain reactions in every patient, but overall DPVA had better results than the LB. The analgesic effect of both techniques could be improved by mild tranquillization/sedate before laparotomy.