Pain management

In this case, the pain management protocol included preoperative carprofen, postoperative epidural analgesia, hydromorphone for the first 12 hours after surgery, a fentanyl patch, and topical lidocaine jelly. It is questionable whether the lidocaine jelly provided marked relief; however, in theory, it should have provided more comfort than sterile lubricating jelly alone. Pain management in dogs undergoing surgery to correct phimosis has not traditionally been described in the veterinary medical literature. However, in this case, pain management was a particular challenge despite an aggressive approach and should be an important consideration in any case of phimosis that requires surgical intervention.

Kelly Saporito, DVM*
Hospital for Animals
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

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