Transversus abdominis plane block in cat cadavers: anatomical description and comparison of injectate spread using two- and three-point approaches.

To describe the sonoanatomy of the abdominal wall in live cats and to compare the distribution pattern of two versus three ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) injections using clinically applicable volumes of lidocaine-dye solution in cat cadavers. Prospective anatomical study. A total of eight client-owned healthy cats and eight cat cadavers. Ultrasound anatomy of the abdominal wall, landmarks and sites for needle access were determined in live cats. Ultrasound-guided TAP injections were performed in eight thawed cat cadavers. Volumes of 0.25 or 0.16 mL kg Sonoanatomy was consistent with anatomy upon dissection and the TAP was identified in all cadavers. A total of 16 subcostal, 16 preiliac and nine retrocostal TAP injections were performed. The overall staining success rate of the target nerves was 66.7% and 92.6% for the SP and SPR approaches, respectively (p = 0.02). The ventromedial branches of T10, T11, T12, T13, L1 and L2 were stained in 57.1%, 100.0%, 85.7%, 28.6%, 42.9% and 85.7%, and in 66.7%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 88.9% and 100.0% of the cases with the SP and SRP approaches, respectively. The SRP approach allowed a broader distribution around the target nerves, whereas a staining gap was observed at T13 and L1 with the SP approach. Further studies are necessary to investigate the analgesic effect of these approaches in a clinical setting.

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