Effects of intramuscular or interpleural administration of morphine and interpleural administration of bupivacaine on pulmonary function in dogs that have undergone median sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of interpleural or IM administration of morphine and interpleural administration of bupivacaine on pulmonary function in dogs that have undergone median sternotomy. DESIGN: Experimental trial. ANIMALS: 18 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs underwent median sternotomy and were randomly assigned to groups of 6 dogs each. Group-A dogs were given morphine (1.0 mg/kg of body weight) i.m.; group-B dogs were given 0.5% bupivacaine (1.5 mg/kg) interpleurally; and group-C dogs were given morphine (1.0 mg/kg) interpleurally. Heart rate; systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures; rectal temperature; pain score; and arterial blood gas partial pressures were measured and pulmonary function testing was performed immediately after extubation (time 0) and up to 48 hours later. Serum cortisol and morphine concentrations were measured at time 0 and up to 12 hours after surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in pH, PaO2, mean oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and dynamic compliance; and a significant increase in PaCO2, alveolar-arterial difference in partial pressure of oxygen, pulmonary resistance, and work of breathing for dogs in all groups after surgery. Serum cortisol concentrations were significantly increased, compared with preoperative values, in all dogs. Serum cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in group-B dogs between 3 and 5 hours after surgery, compared with group-A dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Median sternotomy was associated with significant alterations in pulmonary function. Effects of interpleural administration of bupivacaine and morphine were similar to effects of i.m. administration of morphine.

Closed aortic valvotomy: a retrospective study in 15 dogs.

The results of closed, transventricular valvotomy in 15 dogs with subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) were evaluated in a retrospective study. Fourteen dogs ranged from five to 10 months of age; one dog was 42 months of age at the time of surgery. A combination of physical examination, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, Doppler ultrasonography, and cardiac catheterization was used to establish a definitive diagnosis. Of the 15 dogs undergoing surgery for SAS, 13 had both two-dimensional (2-D) and M-mode echocardiographic examinations; three had successful Doppler aortic blood-flow studies; and five had successful cardiac catheterizations with selective ventricular angiography and intracardiac pressure measurements. In the five dogs undergoing preoperative catheterization, pressure gradient measurements across the aortic valve ranged from 58 to 130 mm Hg. Gradients were reduced by 55% (from 58 to 26 mm Hg), 54% (from 65 to 30 mm Hg), and 30% (from 93 to 65 mm Hg) in three dogs measured postsurgically at 2.5 months (n = 2) and four months (n = 1), respectively. The 10 surviving dogs that were available for follow-up were free of clinical signs of cardiac disease postoperatively.

Evaluation of pulmonary function and analgesia in dogs after intercostal thoracotomy and use of morphine administered intramuscularly or intrapleurally and bupivacaine administered intrapleurally.

Eighteen dogs undergoing lateral thoracotomy at the left fifth intercostal space were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 postoperative analgesic treatment groups of 6 dogs each as follows: group A, morphine, 1.0 mg/kg of body weight, IM; group B, 0.5% bupivacaine, 1.5 mg/kg given interpleurally; and group C, morphine, 1.0 mg/kg given interpleurally. Heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gas tensions, alveolar-arterial oxygen differences, rectal temperature, pain score, and pulmonary mechanics were recorded hourly for the first 8 hours after surgery, and at postoperative hours 12, 24, and 48. These values were compared with preoperative (control) values for each dog. Serum morphine and cortisol concentrations were measured at 10, 20, and 30 minutes, hours 1 to 8, and 12 hours after treatment administration. All dogs had significant decreases in pHa, PaO2, and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and significant increases in PaCO2 and alveolar-arterial oxygen differences in the postoperative period, but these changes were less severe in group-B dogs. Decreases of 50% in lung compliance, and increases of 100 to 200% in work of breathing and of 185 to 383% in pulmonary resistance were observed in all dogs after surgery. Increases in work of breathing were lower, and returned to preoperative values earlier in group-B dogs. The inspiratory time-to-total respiratory time ratio was significantly higher in group-B dogs during postoperative hours 5 to 8, suggesting improved analgesia. Blood pressure was significantly lower in group-A dogs for the postoperative hour. Significant decreases in rectal temperature were observed in all dogs after surgery, and hypothermia was prolonged in dogs of groups A and C. Significant differences in pain score were not observed between treatment groups. Cortisol concentration was high in all dogs after anesthesia and surgery, and was significantly increased in group-B dogs at hours 4 and 8. Significant differences in serum morphine concentration between groups A and C were only observed 10 minutes after treatment administration. In general, significant differences in physiologic variables between groups A and C were not observed. Results of the study indicate that the anesthesia and thoracotomy are associated with significant alterations in pulmonary function and lung mechanics. Interpleurally administered bupivacaine appears to be associated with fewer blood gas alterations and earlier return to normal of certain pulmonary function values. Interpleural administration of morphine does not appear to provide any advantages, in terms of analgesia or pulmonary function, compared with its IM administration.