O VA RIO TOM Y IN THE BI TCH. 1 1 7 



30. OVARIOTOMY IN THE BITCH BY THE LINEA ALBA. 

 PLATE XVI. 



Instruments. Same as in the preceding. 



Technic. Confine in the dorsal position with the head 

 sharply declined. Shave and disinfect an area on the median 

 line about 6 cm. square extending forward from the pubic 

 brim. Make an incision on the median line about 4 cm. 

 long beginning just in front of the pubic brim and extending 

 forward cutting entirely through the skin, the linea alba and 

 peritoneum at a single stroke. Insert an index finger and 

 identify the uterus or broad ligament by its location and 

 form. The finger usually comes in contact first with the 

 urinary bladder which may more or less obstruct the pas- 

 sage to the uterus according to its degree of distension. 

 When empty as shown at B, it offers practically no obstruc- 

 tion. When very much distended it may be evacuated by 

 gentle pressure with the fingers. The operator should be 

 careful not to draw the bladder out through the incision as 

 its replacement may prove difficult and its puncture with the 

 hypodermic needle or an enlargement of the incision may be 

 necessary in order to bring about its return. Push the 

 bladder aside if necessary and just above it and below the 

 rectum the uterus should be readily distinguished and either 

 it or the broad ligament caught by the finger and brought 

 out through the incision after which the operation proceeds 

 in the same manner as by the flank method. It has a dis- 

 tinct advantage over the flank method in that in puppies 

 there is not so much difficulty in bringing out the ovaries, 

 nor the danger of the rupture of the cornua and the ovary 

 dropping back. By the use of retractors in the abdominal 

 incision the operator is enabled to >ee the uterus in position 

 and grasp it by means of forceps, obviating the necessity of 

 introducing the finger into the peritoneal cavity. The sut- 

 ures must extend entirely through the abdominal wall and 

 be carefully placed in order to prevent hernia. Interrupted 

 sutures are preferable. If the operation has been properly 



