Evaluation of postoperative analgesia with perioperative electroacupuncture in clinical dog patients undergoing surgery for cranial cruciate ligament rupture (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement).

Perioperative electroacupuncture provided no analgesic benefit in dogs undergoing TTA surgery.

This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluated perioperative electroacupuncture efficacy for postoperative pain management in 31 client-owned dogs undergoing Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) surgery for cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Dogs were allocated to electroacupuncture (n=15) or control (n=16) groups, with pain assessed by an experienced observer using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale-Short Form (CMPS-SF) at baseline and eight postoperative timepoints, plus owner assessments at two timepoints. Results demonstrated significantly elevated pain scores during the first two postoperative hours compared to baseline in both groups. However, electroacupuncture provided no significant analgesic benefit at any timepoint. Notably, owners consistently assigned higher pain scores than expert observers and rated the electroacupuncture group as significantly more painful at 10 hours postoperatively. A significant association was identified between sedation and pain scores, suggesting sedation may confound pain assessment validity. The authors concluded electroacupuncture did not improve postoperative analgesia following TTA surgery and emphasized the importance of assessor training and experience in accurate pain evaluation, as well as the potential confounding effects of sedation on standardized pain scales.

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