Effect of levobupivacaine, administered intraperitoneally, on physiological variables and on intrasurgery and postsurgery pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative efficacy and cardiovascular effects of levobupivacaine compared with bupivacaine, administered intraperitoneally in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy surgery. Thirty female dogs were divided into three groups B, L, and E, each comprising ten subjects. All subjects received 5 mcg kg-1 dexmedetomidine and 0.3 mg kg-1 methadone intramuscularly, 4 mg kg-1 propofol intravenously, and isoflurane after intubation. After laparotomy, 2.5 mg kg-1 bupivacaine (B group), 2.5 mg kg-1 levobupivacaine (L group), and 0.9% saline solution (E group) were sprayed on ovarian stalks and on the neck of the uterus. Heart rate, respiratory rate, hemoglobin saturation (SpO2), noninvasive systolic blood pressure, carbon dioxide at the end of expiration (ETCO2), and concentration of inspired isoflurane were recorded. Evaluation of intraoperative analgesia was performed with a cumulative pain scale, whereas evaluation of postoperative analgesia was performed using the University of Melbourne Pain Scale. Intraoperative analgesia was significantly different among the groups P = 0.000; L group scores were lower than groups B and E. Total pain score, during the 24 hours after extubation, was significantly different between the groups. In fact, in groups B and L, scores were statistically lower than group E. In our study, there were no differences in anesthetic power between the two local anesthetics. No patients manifested side effects. Intraperitoneal anesthesia, with levobupivacaine represents an effective and safe method to control intraoperative and postoperative pain in abdominal surgery.