• Carrie A Schroeder, Lindsey B C Snyder, Caitlin C Tearney, Tracy L Baker-Herman, and Kristopher M Schroeder.
• Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. Madison, WI 53706, USA. schroederc@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
• Vet Anaesth Analg. 2011 May 1;38(3):267-71.

ObjectiveTo describe the ultrasound-guided technique to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in the dog and evaluate the spread of a local anesthetic/methylene blue solution.Study DesignProspective experimental trial.AnimalsTen adult Beagle cadavers weighing 11.1 ± 1.1 kg (mean ± SD).MethodsTransversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks were performed bilaterally by a single trained individual on unpreserved cadaver dogs using 10 mL of methylene blue/bupivacaine solution per site. Dissection of the abdominal wall was performed within 15-55 minutes of block to determine distribution of injectate and nerve involvement in the transversus abdominis fascial plane.ResultsThe transversus abdominis fascial plane was adequately visualized via ultrasound and injected in twenty hemi-abdominal walls. Segmental branches of T11, T12, T13, L1, L2, and L3 were adequately stained in 20%, 60%, 100%, 100%, 90%, and 30% of injections, respectively.Conclusions And Clinical RelevanceThis anatomical study suggests that the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block would provide adequate regional anesthesia of the abdomen, potentially extending to the cranial and caudal limits of the abdomen. This supports the clinical potential of this block in veterinary medicine.© 2011 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia © 2011 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.

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