RT Journal Article
T1 Ultrasound-guided injection into the interfascial rectus sheath-associated plane in sheep - a cadaveric study
A1 Bustamante Domínguez, Rocío
A1 Re, Michela Tatiana
A1 Gaspar Simón, Ignacio de
A1 Álvarez Gómez De Segura, Ignacio
AB sheep - a cadaveric study Objectives To evaluate ovine anatomy to determine the feasibility of an ultrasound guided interfascial rectus sheath (RS) -associated plane blockStudy design Prospective, experimental, randomised cadaveric study.  Animals A group of 22 fresh cadavers (median 52 kg, range 47–62 kg).Methods In phase I, six cadavers underwent anatomical (n = 2) and ultrasonographic (n 8 = 4) examination of the ventral abdominal wall and RS. Based on these findings, two  lateral approaches (one- or two-injections) were defined. In phase II, 14 cadavers were  randomly injected bilaterally using the one-injection approach under ultrasound guidance with 0.1% methylene blue at either high (HV, 0.5 mL kg-1 ) or low (LV, 0.25 mL kg-1 11 )  volume, targeting the plane between the rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) and its internal  sheath. Dissections evaluated dye distribution and nerve staining Results The one-injection approach provided better visualization and consistent nerve  staining. The eleventh thoracic nerve was stained in all cases, while the twelfth (HV = 16 93%; LV = 79%), and thirteenth thoracic nerves were stained only in two cadavers with  HV. Dye spread was limited, suggesting compartmentalization of the interfascial plane. 18 Further investigation in two additional cadavers included injections of methylene blue  and a neutral red dye (LV each) between RAM and its internal sheath between alternate  muscle bellies. The latter injections were within the same unilateral RAM, separated by 21 tendinous intersections. Dissection showed distinct dye accumulation without mixingConclusions and clinical relevance the described approach produced a limited spread  and nerve staining, possibly due to ovine-specific anatomy and the technique employed,  which differs from the standard RSB technique. Targeting individual muscular Journal Pre-proof 2  compartments could be an alternative. Further studies using the traditional RSB approach  are needed to confirm its applicability in this species
PB Elsevier
SN 1467-2987
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125279
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125279
LA eng
NO Bustamante, R., Re, M., De Gaspar Simón, I., & Gómez De Segura, I. A. (2025). Ultrasound-guided injection into the interfascial rectus sheath-associated plane in sheep—A cadaveric study. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, S1467298725002168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2025.08.041
NO Authors’ contributions :RB: conception and design of the study, ultrasound evaluation, anatomical dissection and evaluation, RSB injections, data management, statistical analysis and preparation of the drafted and final versions of the manuscript. MR: conception and design of the study, anatomical dissection and evaluation and criti cal revision of the manuscript. Journal Pre-proof IGS: anatomical dissection and evaluation, study design and critical revision of the ma nuscript. IAGS: revision of study design and critical revision of the manuscript.
DS Docta Complutense
RD 19 ene 2026