Wound infusion of levobupivacaine alone or combined with lidocaine for postoperative pain management of dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy

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The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of levobupivacaine alone or combined with lidocaine administered through a catheter on postoperative pain management of dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy. Methods and procedures: twenty-four bitches of various weights, ages and breeds were anesthetized. A previously fenestrated cystostomy tube was fixed during closure of the surgical wound and local anesthetics were given according to each group: GL (n=8), levobupivacaine (3.0mgkg-1); GLL (n=8), levobupivacaine (2.0mg kg-1) + lidocaine (3.5mg kg-1); and GC (n=8), 0.9% NaCl (3.0mg kg-1). The tube was removed at the end of skin suture. Postoperative pain was assessed through pain scales and electronic von Frey analgesimetry. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey’s test, Spearman correlation and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p<0.05). Results of different correlation coefficients were found for pain scores obtained through the modified Glasgow scale and von Frey analgesimetry among evaluators, which indicates weak correlation between methods. Survival analysis demonstrated higher likelihood of rescue analgesia being given at 1-3 hours in GC (100%), 1-6 hours in GLL, and 2-7 hours in GL. Conclusion: levobupivacaine alone and combined with lidocaine provided satisfactory postoperative analgesia when administered through a soaker catheter in dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy.