Regional nerve blocks make it possible to perform most extractions under standing sedation.Appropriate use of the extraperiorbital fat body insertion technique for the maxillary nerve block is effective with small volumes of anesthetic and can be performed in a manner that minimizes risk to the surrounding anatomy.Using a nerve stimulator to locate the inferior alveolar nerve at the mandibular foramen may help reduce risk of lingual maceration.Tuohy needles are a safer alternative to spinal needles for regional blocks though they are more expensive.Providing adequate pain control for equine patients in the perioperative and postoperative period should be part of any practitioner's surgical plan involving dental extraction and/or sinus surgery. The vast majority of extraction techniques in common use today can be performed standing with good perioperative analgesia/anesthesia via intravenous sedation and regional nerve block. This greatly reduces the risk to the horse from general anesthesia, bleeding during surgery and recovery time. Many same day surgeries can be performed stall side or with only a 24 to 48 hour stay at an equine hospital.
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