DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v10i1.703Abstract
Question
In dogs undergoing an elective spay procedure (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy), does the use of a transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block compared to non-TAP reduce postoperative pain scores?
Clinical bottom line
The category of research question was:
Treatment.
The number and type of study designs that were critically appraised were:
Three studies were appraised, all of which were prospective, blinded, randomised, controlled trials.
Critical appraisal of the selected papers meeting the inclusion criteria collectively provide zero/weak/moderate/strong evidence in terms of their experimental design and implementation:
Moderate.
The outcomes reported are summarised as follows…
The available studies deemed a reduction in postoperative pain scores as a marker of treatment efficacy.
In view of the strength of evidence and the outcomes from the studies the following conclusion is made…
There is moderate evidence to suggest that, when compared to a control group, the use of a TAP block reduces postoperative pain scores, in dogs undergoing elective spay procedures (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy). The need for postoperative analgesia was reduced when a TAP block had been administered prior to the spay procedure.
References
Campoy, L., Martin-Flores, M., Boesch, J.M., Moyal, M.N., Gleed, R.D., Radhakrishman, S., Pavlinac, R.M., Sieger, J.L., Colon, C.S. & Magidenko, S.R. (2022). Transverse abdominis plane injection of bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine or a bupivacaine liposomal suspension yielded lower pain scores and requirement for rescue analgesia in a controlled, randomized trial in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 83(9). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.22.03.0037
Cavaco, J.S., Otero, P.E., Ambrósio, A.M., Neves, I.C.B., Perencin, F.M., Pereira, M.A.A, Matera, J.M. & Fantoni, D.T. (2022). Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in dogs undergoing ovariectomy. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 9, 1031345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1031345
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Jakobsson, J.G., Wickerts, L., Forsberg, S. & Ledin, G. (2015). Transversus abdominal plane (TAP) block for postoperative pain management: a review. F1000Research. 4, 1359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7015.1
Ryan, S., Bacon, H., Endenburg, N., Hazel, S., Jouppi, R., Lee, N., Seksel. & Takashima, G. (2018) WSAVA animal welfare guidelines for companion animal practitioners and veterinary teams. WSAVA, [online], 1–80. Available at: https://wsava.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/12/WSAVA-Animal-Welfare-Guidelines-2018.pdf [Accessed 31.10.23].
Schroeder, C.A., Schroeder, K.M. & Johnson, R.A. (2010). Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Exploratory Laparotomy in a Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 41(2), 338–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1638/2009-0113R1.1
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