Combination of lidocaine/prilocaine with tramadol for short time anaesthesia-analgesia in chelonians: 18 cases

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the practical use of lidocaine/prilocaine cream as the local anaesthetic in combination with tramadol anaesthesia for the surgical treatment of prolapsed penis in chelonians. Eighteen animals were included in this study. After administration of tramadol, prolapsed penis was cleaned and disinfected. Lidocaine/prilocaine cream at a dose of 1g/10 cm2 was applied on the penile mucosa. The time interval from lidocaine/prilocaine application to a loss of hind limb withdrawal reflex and the response to penile mucosa pinching was recorded as the induction time for surgical anaesthesia. The time interval from lidocaine/ prilocaine application to full restoration of tail and hind limb withdrawal reflex was recorded as the recovery time. In two male chelonians the response to pain stimuli persisted for more than 20 min after lidocaine/prilocaine cream application, and the anaesthetic cream had to be re-administered. After this second application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream, surgical anaesthesia was reached within 28 and 32 min. The mean induction time for surgical anaesthesia was 19.22 ± 4.36 min. The mean recovery time was 40.83 ± 7.68 min. In all 18 male chelonians the surgical treatment of prolapsed penile was uneventful. Topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream can be used as a feasible form of local anaesthesia in combination with tramadol analgesia management for minor surgical procedures in chelonians.