Comparison Between Lignocaine Hydrochloride and Ropivacaine Hydrochloride as Lumbosacral Epidural Anaesthetic Agents in Goats Undergoing Laparoscopy Assisted Embryo Transfer

Goats (n=12) undergoing laparoscopy assisted embryo transfer were randomly allotted to two groups (I and II) and injected lignocaine hydrochloride (4mg/kg) or ropivacaine hydrochloride (1mg/kg) at the lumbosacral epidural space. The animals were held with raised hind quarters for the first three minutes following injection. Immediately after induction of regional anaesthesia, they were restrained in dorsal recumbency in the Trendelenburg position in a cradle. Laparoscopy was performed after creating pneumoperitoneum using filtered room air. The mean (± S.E) induction time in animals of group I was significantly shorter (5.33 ± 0.61 min) than those belonging to group II (12.66 ±1.99 min). Complete analgesia developed throughout the hind quarters and abdomen for 30 min and 60 min in group I and II animal’s respectively. Unlike animals of group I, group II goats continued to show moderate analgesia for 180 minutes. The motor activity returned after a lapse of 130.00 ± 12.64 min and 405.00 ± 46.31 min respectively. Occasional vocalization and struggling was noticed in two goats one from each group irrespective of the surgical manipulations during laparoscopy. The rectal temperature and respiration rates showed only non-significant increase, but the heart rate values were significantly higher (P < 0.5) up to 150 min in animals of both the groups when compared to their baseline values. From this study, it was concluded that both anaesthetic agents produced satisfactory regional anaesthesia in goats undergoing laparoscopy. However, considering the very long delay in regaining the hind limb motor activity, the use of ropivacaine may not be recommended for this purpose. Supplementation of sedative/tranquilizer with lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia needs evaluation.

Potential Intrathecal Leakage of Solutions Injected into the Epidural Space following Combined Spinal Epidural Anaesthesia

A combined spinal epidural anaesthetic (CSE), by design, produces a deliberate multicompartment block across a breached dural membrane. Since the lateral holes of the epidural catheter may lie in close proximity to the dural puncture site, a bolus solution of drug injected via the epidural catheter has the potential to leak through the dural puncture into the subarachnoid space. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intrathecal leak by performing an epidurogram. Fifteen patients undergoing surgery with a CSE anaesthetic using a 16 gauge Tuohy/26 gauge pencil point needle were studied. Within three hours of catheter insertion, 12 ml of contrast (iohexol 300 mg/ml) was injected via the epidural catheter under fluoroscopic control with screen recording and exposure of lateral and anteroposterior X-ray plates. All films were later reviewed for evidence of intrathecal spread. We did not observe any evidence of intrathecal spread of contrast. However, caution should be observed during administration of an intraoperative bolus dose of analgesic agent via a catheter inserted as part of a combined spinal epidural anaesthetic technique, particularly with the use of hydrophilic opiods.