Association of transversus abdominis plane and superficial serratus block for postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing unilateral radical mastectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the postoperative analgesic effects of the combined transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and superficial serratus plane (SSP) blocks in dogs undergoing unilateral radical mastectomy. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURE: A total of 16 client-owned dogs were enrolled. Animals were divided in two groups (n = 8 each) to receive TAP and SSP blocks alone (locoregional anaesthesia, LA) or with meloxicam and methadone (multimodal analgesia, MA). Acepromazine was given as premedication. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form (CMPS-SF) up to 24 h postextubation. Methadone was used for postoperative rescue analgesia when CMPS-SF scores ≥6/24. Data were analysed accordingly, and results considered statistically significant when P < 0.05. RESULTS: Postoperative rescue analgesia was required in two and one dogs for LA and MA, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between groups. The total number of methadone administrations was 3 for LA and 1 for MA. Rescue analgesia was required at 6- and 1-hour post extubating for LA and MA, respectively. The CMPS-SF did not vary between groups. CONCLUSION: TAP-SSP blocks used alone or in combination with meloxicam and methadone, provided postoperative analgesia for 6 to 24 hours in dogs undergoing unilateral radical mastectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Local anaesthesia was successful in providing postoperative pain management for at least 6 h after mastectomy in dogs.