Eficácia da farmacopuntura com lidocaína ou aquapuntura para o controle da dor perioperatória de gatas submetidas à ovariosalpingohisterectomia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative analgesic potential of administering lidocaine or saline solution into to Stomach 36 (ST36) and Spleen-Pancreas 6 (SP6) acupuncture points in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. In a prospective, randomized, controlled-blinded study, 45 cats referred to elective OSH were evaluated. The animals were sedated with intramuscularly with dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane After the anesthetic induction, the cats were assigned into three treatments (n = 15 per group), GL: administration of lidocaine at acupuncture points ST36 and SP6; GS: administration of saline solution at the same acupuncture points; and CG: no treatment. During the first 24 hours after tracheal extubation, the degree of analgesia was measured using the Glasgow Composite Scale–Definitive (ECG) and the Multidimensional Composite Scale-UNESP-Botucatu (ECM). Sedation scores were measured using an descriptive numerical scale. In cats with ECG ≥ 5/20 and/or ECM ≥ 6/24, morphine (0.2mg/kg, IM) was administered as rescue analgesia. In cases of insufficient analgesia, meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg, in a single dose, SC) was administered. Intraoperatively, fentanil was given in 13.3%, 13.3% and 26.6% of the cats in the GL, GS and CG, respectively (p = 0,54- 0,55). The prevalence of intraoperative hypotension was higher in the GC compared to GL and GS (p = 0,21). Pain and sedative scores, as well as the need for postoperative rescue analgesia did not differ among groups. Postoperative rescue analgesia was required in 66.6%, 46.6% and 66.6% of the cats of GL, GS and CG, respectively (p = 0,43). In conclusion, the injection of lidocaine or saline solution at acupuncture points ST36 and SP6 resulted in lower incidence of intraoperative hypotension, with minimal evidence of analgesic benefit compared to the control treatment.