Levobupivacaine combined with cisatracurium in peribulbar anaesthesia in cats undergoing corneal and lens surgery

The aims of the study include evaluating the effects of levobupivacaine combined with cisatracurium on akinesia and mydriasis when administered peribulbar injection, and evaluating if the chosen dose of cisatracurium is enough to avoid the use of systemic neuromuscular blockade in cats. The animals were divided into four groups as follows: group L received 1.25 mg kg⁻¹ levobupivacaine administered by peribulbar injection; group LC received the same dose of levobupivacaine combined with 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ of cisatracurium administered by peribulbar injection; group C received 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ of cisatracurium administered by peribulbar injection; group GC received 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ of cisatracurium intravenously. Physiological variables, intraocular pressure, akinesia, and mydriasis were measured before and up to 30 minutes after peribulbar injection. The onset of akinesia and duration of akinesia, and train of four (TOF) were evaluated. Physiological variables remained in the physiological range in all groups. Effective akinesia and mydriasis were observed in all groups. The (TOF) was 0.9 in all groups. Throughout the study was observed in group LC a shortened onset of akinesia and a prolonging its duration. The peribulbar injection of cisatracurium and levobupivacaine provided effective akinesia and mydriasis, and shortened the onset of akinesia while prolonging its duration.