Effects of Intrathecal Anesthesia with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine for Hind Limb Orthopedic Surgery in Calves

Abstract

Anesthesia obtained by the injection of local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid is defined as intrathecal or spinal anesthesia. This study aimed to compare intrathecal anesthesia with gas anesthesia in calves operated for hind limb fractures. Twelve calves with hind leg femur and tibia fractures were included in the study. Six of these calves were subjected to intrathecal anesthesia (IT) and the other 6 to gas anesthesia (GA). Sedation with xylazine was performed after general operative preparations. In the IT group, hyperbaric bupivacaine was injected lumbosacrally, while in the GA group, general anesthesia was achieved with isoflurane after mask induction. Anesthesia onset, operation and anesthesia durations, and intraoperative parameters were recorded. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, and electrocardiography were monitored and recorded. In addition, postoperative pain was evaluated with the postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS), simple descriptive pain scale (SDS), and bovine pain assessment scale (BPAS). Although there were statistical differences between the hemodynamic values measured in the study, they remained within reference ranges. In conclusion, it can be said that intrathecal anesthesia is practical for hind leg surgery in calves and has advantages, especially in terms of postoperative pain management.