# Comparison of Perioperative Analgesic Efficacy of Lidocaine Intratesticular Block and Spermatic Cord Instillation in Feline Castration

## TL;DR

This study compares two local anesthetic techniques for feline castration and finds both effective, though intratesticular block offers more stable results.

## Contribution

The study provides a direct comparison of two local anesthetic methods for feline castration with clinical implications.

## Key findings

- Both intratesticular block and spermatic cord instillation effectively reduce surgical pain in cats.
- Intratesticular block provides more stable intraoperative vital signs and less postoperative pain.
- Spermatic cord instillation is a viable alternative when intratesticular block is not feasible.

## Abstract

Castration is a common surgery that induces mild to moderate pain intensity. Effective pain management, particularly local anesthesia in addition to general anesthesia, is recommended. Intratesticular block is a well-established technique for castration; however, its use may be limited in cats with testicular masses or infections. Instillation is a simple and effective local anesthetic technique used in various surgeries, though studies on its use for castration are limited. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of intratesticular block and spermatic cord instillation in cats undergoing castration. The results demonstrated that both techniques effectively reduce noxious stimulation during surgery, with no significant differences observed between the two methods. Therefore, the spermatic cord instillation technique can be considered as a local anesthetic option for feline castration.

Intratesticular block is an effective local anesthetic technique for castration; however, its use may be limited in cases of testicular masses or infections. Instillation is a simple technique used in several procedures, though studies investigating its application in feline castration remain scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the perioperative analgesic efficacy of lidocaine intratesticular block and spermatic cord instillation in feline castration. Forty-five male cats were randomly divided into three groups: the intratesticular block group (IT), the spermatic cord instillation group (S), and the control group (C). All cats were anesthetized using the same protocol and both techniques were performed based on group assignments. Lidocaine (2 mg/kg) was administrated according to the designated route, while 0.9% normal saline was used for the alternative route and in the C group. Intraoperative parameters were recorded, showing that noninvasive blood pressure in the IT and S groups was significantly lower than in the C group. Although both lidocaine intratesticular block and spermatic cord instillation effectively reduce surgical noxious stimulation, intratesticular block is recommended as it provides more stable intraoperative vital signs and less postoperative pain. Therefore, spermatic cord instillation can be considered as an optional technique for managing pain in feline castration.