Paravertebral cervical block for osteosynthesis of humeral fracture in foal

A modified cervical paravertebral block of the brachial plexus was performed with the aid of a nerve stimulator for osteosynthesis with four intramedullary pins in a 5-month-old colt weighing 180 kg diagnosed with a closed, complete, and oblique humerus fracture. Xylazine 2% (0.5 mg kg(-1) IV) was administered as the pre-anesthetic medication. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine 10% (2 mg kg(-1) IV) and midazolam 0.5% (5 mg kg(-1) IV) and maintained with isoflurane. The animal was on mechanical ventilation. The nerve block was induced with administration of ropivacaine 0.75% in the ventral branches of C-6 (intervertebral space C-5-C-6) and C-7 (intervertebral space C-6-C-7) and in the branches of C-8 and T-1 at their convergence at the cranial margin of the first rib. During the 130-nun duration of the surgery, no analgesic rescue was required. In conclusion, this blockade can be performed safely and promotes numbness of the humeral and olecranon regions.