Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques

Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques is a concise visual guide to the major techniques of regional anesthesia and analgesia for small animal practitioners. The authors provide straightforward advice and easy–to–implement strategies for those who want to incorporate regional anesthesia into their practice.

The handbook features an accessible design with plenty of diagrams and photos and a convenient spiral–bound format that lays flat for use during procedures. In clear language, it introduces the relevant physics, physiology, and pharmacology for a variety of techniques, as well as possible side effects and complications. 

These techniques have been shown to be an important part of managing peri–operative pain.
Comprehensive yet accessible, this guide equips small animal veterinarians with the knowledge and skills to implement basic regional anesthesia procedures successfully in order to improve patient care. 

Chapter 1 Introduction
1. Why provide regional anaesthesia
a. History of regional anaesthesia/analgesia
b. Principles of the major techniques
i. Epidural/spinal
ii. Peripheral nerve blockade
iii. Regional infiltration
iv. Topical application
v. Intra–articular injection
c. Local anaesthetics
i. Mechanism of action
ii. Physico–chemical properties
iii. Specific drugs
1. Lidocaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, bupivacaine
2. Duration of action
3. Side effects
d. Additives to local anaesthetics
i. Opioids
ii. Alpha–2–adrenoreceptor agonists
iii. Ketamine
iv. Adrenaline
v. Bicarbonate
vi. Hyaluronidase
2. Equipment
a. Needles
b. Catheters
c. Peripheral nerve stimulators
d. Ultrasonic imaging
e. Differential pressure transducer
f. Acoustic device
3. Complications
a. Local anaesthetic toxicity
b. Adverse effects of technique
4. Species differences and considerations
5. Safe practice
a. Gaining confidence
b. Making a plan

Chapter 2 Practical application cutaneous innervation index
1. Head
2. Thoracic limb
3. Pelvic limb
4. Thorax
5. Abdomen
6. Perineum/tail

Chapter 3 Infiltration Blocks (8 diagrams, 4 photos)
1. Infiltration for mass removal
2. Soaker catheter/pain buster
3. Intercostal blocks
4. Intrapleural block
5. Intraperitoneal block

Chapter 4 Blocks of the head (12 diagrams, 6 photos)
1. Retrobulbar
2. Maxillary
3. Mandibular (inferior alveolar)
4. Mental (AKA middle mental)
5. Infraorbital
6. Major palatine
7. Auriculotemporal and great auricular

Chapter 5 Regional anesthetic blocks of the limbs (7 diagrams, 10photos)
H1 Thoracic limb
H2 Brachial plexus (1 diag, 1 photo)
H2 Paravertebral C6–T1 (1 diag, 2 photo)
H2 RUMM (Radial/Ulnar/Median/Musculocutaneous) (1 diag, 2 photos)
H2 Bier block (Staffieri 2013) (1photo)
H1 Pelvic Limb
H2 Femoral/Saphenous nerve block
H3 Inguinal approach (1 diag, 1 photo)
H3 Lateral pre–iliac approach (caudal lumba plexus block) (1 diag, 1 photo)
H2 Sciatic nerve block (Sacral plexus block)
H3 Lateral approach (1 diag, 1 photo)
H3 Parasacral approach (1 diag, 1 photo)

Chapter 6 Epidurals/spinals (4 diagrams, 2 photos)
1. Uses
a. Abdominal pain
b. Thoracic pain
c. Hindlimb
d. Perineum/Tail
2. Techniques
a. Lumbosacral
b. Coccygeal

Chapter 7 Appendices
1. Emergency Procedures
2. Resources
3. References