Effects of Buprenorphine Added to Bupivacaine Infraorbital Nerve Blocks on Isoflurane Minimum Alveolar Concentration Using a Model for Acute Dental/Oral Surgical Pain in Dogs

Abstract

Bupivacaine appears to have a duration of action longer than previously reported. Results of this study demonstrate that the addition of buprenorphrine may enhance the analgesic duration of effect for bupivacaine regional nerve blocks. In addition, the use of bupivacaine alone may have analgesia that exceeds 24 hours in many cases. Although not statistically significant based on sample size, 50% of dogs receiving the bupivacaine/buprenorphine regional anesthetic block demonstrated a decreased anesthetic requirement 48 hours postadministration when compared to 25% of dogs receiving the bupivacaine anesthetic. No adverse cardiorespiratory effects were noted secondary to either local anesthetic treatment. Use of bupivacaine may have analgesic effects extending greater than 24 hours (24-72) when used in regional anesthetic blocks in veterinary dental patients with acute dental pain. The addition of buprenorphine to bupivacaine may extend the duration of analgesia (48-96 h). The limited sample size, in addition to patient variability in response to medications, may account for the fact that no differences were detected between the treatments administered.