Use of a caudal intercostal block in horses undergoing surgery for colic.

Clinical Context

Peer-reviewed veterinary literature continues to shape everyday decision-making for production animal practice, especially when new evidence clarifies diagnosis, treatment selection, monitoring, or clinical outcomes.

What the Study Evaluated

A study published in Equine veterinary journal in 2026 evaluated use of a caudal intercostal block in horses undergoing surgery for colic..

Key Findings

In humans and companion animals, regional anaesthesia is used in multimodal analgesic protocols for abdominal wall surgery. Benefits include earlier patient mobilisation and improved pain scores. Regional anaesthetic techniques for horses undergoing abdominal surgery could provide similar benefits and warrant investigation. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a caudal intercostal block for abdominal surgery (CIBAS) in horses undergoing surgery for colic. Blinded, randomised clinical trial. Horses (n = 22) undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic were randomly assigned to receive CIBAS (1 mg/kg bupivacaine, 1 μg/kg epinephrine and 1...

Why It Matters for Veterinary Professionals

For veterinary professionals, the practical value of this work lies in how the findings may support more structured clinical assessment, clearer monitoring, and more informed decisions for production animal practice.

Practical Interpretation

The results should be interpreted in the context of the study design, population, inclusion criteria, and clinical setting. Application in practice should consider patient-specific risk factors, available diagnostics, local standards of care, and clinician judgment.

Clinical Takeaway

Overall, the study adds useful evidence for clinicians seeking to align daily practice with current veterinary research while maintaining a balanced, case-by-case approach.

• Read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42740672/