10 - Canine OHE & Orchiectomy

Question 1

What is the approach to beginning a canine OHE?

Answer 1

1. Ventral midline
2. Divide caudal abdomen into 3rds from umbilicus to pubis
3. Incision centered on cranial 3rd of caudal abdomen
4. 6-8 cm incision (may be larger)

Question 2

What blade should be used for a canine OHE? What layers do you incise with it?

Answer 2

10; incise skin and into SQ

Question 3

When do you use Metzenbaums when getting into the abdomen?

Answer 3

Push cut SQ tissue off of body wall

Question 4

How do you get through the linea alba?

Answer 4

Tent linea up for stab incision, then extend

Question 5

The linea alba is not always obvious in dogs like in cats. What can you do if this is the case in your patient?

Answer 5

Can feel for where the muscles are joining together and incise at that location

Question 6

What is the preferred site for rupturing the suspensory ligament?

Answer 6

Craniodorsal attachment to abdominal wall, furthest from important vascular structures

Question 7

How should you rupture the suspensory ligament?

Answer 7

Lateral to medial direction, close to abdominal wall, use index finger

Question 8

What do you use to fenestrate the broad ligament and clamp the pedicle?

Answer 8

Rochester-Carmalt

Question 9

How is the ovarian pedicle ligated and what suture is used?

Answer 9

Use PDS 2-0 or 0, do one Miller’s knot proximally and then one transfixation ligature at more distal forceps

Question 10

When tearing the broad ligament in dogs, what often has to be done at the same time?

Answer 10

There are often vessels in the broad ligament that are large enough to need ligation.

Question 11

How is the uterine body ligated?

Answer 11

Use PDS 2-0 or 0;

Miller’s knot most proximal (closer to cervix), transfixation ligature closer to bifurcation

Question 12

What suture is used to close the linea alba and what pattern?

Answer 12

PDS 2-0 or 0, simple continuous

Question 13

What suture and pattern is used to close the SQ in a dog OHE?

Answer 13

Monocryl 2-0 or 3-0, simple continuous

Question 14

What suture and pattern is used to close the skin in a dog OHE?

Answer 14

Monocryl 2-0 or 3-0 (can use same as SQ), intradermal with buried knots

Question 15

Which suture, PDS or monocryl, loses its strength the fastest?

Answer 15

Monocryl

Question 16

What is the difference between an open and closed orchiectomy?

Answer 16

Open = tunic incised, structures ligated separately

Closed = tunic not incised, vessels, vas deferens, etc. ligated together

Question 17

Where is the incision site for a dog neuter?

Answer 17

Between penis and scrotum.

Question 18

What are the steps to a canine neuter?

Answer 18

1. Testicle pushed into pre-scrotal area under median raphe (this protects the urethra)
2. Incise down to level of parietal layer of vaginal tunic (may see fat globule on the parietal layer)
3. Enlarge incision and push out testicle
4. Strip off fascia around cord manually or with gauze (occasionally must transect with scissors)
5. Place 3 Rochester carmalts on the cord 0.5 cm apart
6. Miller’s knot proximal, transfixing distal, use PDS 2-0 or 3-0
7. Move second forceps slightly towards testicle
8. Transect cord between 2 remaining forceps and remove testicle
9. Hold pedicle with forceps and check hemostasis
10. Repeat with other testicle
11. 2 layer closure

Question 19

How many layers are closed in a canine neuter and what are they?

Answer 19

2 - SQ and skin

Question 20

What suture and pattern is used on the SQ layer for a dog neuter?

Answer 20

Monocryl 2-0 or 3-0, simple continuous

Question 21

What suture and pattern are used on the skin closure for a dog neuter?

Answer 21

Monocryl (same as SQ), buried intradermal (can use same strand as SQ)