Small Animal Surgery Resident University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine Athens, Georgia
Control of post-operative pain in veterinary medicine is frequently limited to NSAIDs and opioids, both of which can have undesirable effects. No studies have evaluated bupivacaine liposome injectable solutions (BLIS) for pain control after abdominal surgeries in dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in pain levels of dogs following abdominal surgery and surgical incision infiltration (SII) of saline or BLIS. The hypothesis was that dogs receiving BLIS would have lower pain scores and receive fewer doses of opioids post-operatively. Dogs undergoing an exploratory laparotomy were prospectively enrolled and randomized to receive either BLIS or saline (control) SII. Pain assessment with an electronic algometer and Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale, as well as blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels were recorded pre-operatively and at select time points post-operatively by masked observers. All dogs (n = 35) received a standardized post-operative pain management protocol. Immediately post operatively (day 0), blood pressure was significantly higher in the control group (150.7±24.7 [control] vs. 128.3±25.3 mmHg [BLIS], p<0.05). No other significant differences in pain scores, other measured parameters, or need for rescue analgesia were present between BLIS and control groups at any time point. BLIS was not shown to decrease post-operative pain in dogs undergoing exploratory laparotomy. Limitations include sample size and the ability to accurately assess pain in dogs. Use of BLIS for exploratory laparotomy was not shown to provide a benefit for decreased opioid administration or improved pain control over post-operative opioid administration alone.
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