758 OPERATIONS UPON THE EYE AND EAR. 



We consider the operation to be comparatively a simple one, 

 though delicate handling is required. 



A convex bistoury or scalpel, dissecting and artery forceps and 

 needles and thread are the instruments required. 



A circular incision is made always, if possible, by one stroke 

 of the knife, toward the base of the cartilage, beginning at about 

 the lower commissure of the external opening of the concha; then 

 carefully avoiding the division of the bifurcation of the parotid 

 gland, the insertion of the muscles attached upon the concha is 

 divided, the posterior and anterior auricular arteries are ligated, 

 the adhesions with the surrounding cellular tissue are lacerated 

 with the handle of the scalpel, and the ligament which unites the 

 concha to the annular cartilage is severed, the little prolongation 

 of the former can then be easily followed to its end, and the con- 

 cha be readily extirpated b}' lacerating its cellular attachments. 



The wound is closed with sutures, and treated in the usual 

 way. 



Amputation in Dogs. — Although, as we have remarked, this is 

 principally an operation of fashion, there are still conditions in 

 which it is rationally indicated. It is commonly performed with 

 scissors, curved or straight, with which the required portions of the 

 concha are amputated by a single cut of the instrument. 



Instruments have been invented to insure a more certain suc- 

 cess in the operation, and a neater finish after the wounds have 



Fig. 556.— Nippers to Amputate Dogs' Ears. 



healed. The limitation forceps, rei^resented in Figure 556, pos- 

 sess some advantages in these resjDects. 



In any mode of operation, the flap of skin first excised be- 

 comes the only true pattern by which to shape the second. 



The operation is generally followed by some hemorrhage, but 

 this either subsides spontaneously, or by the application of local 

 hemostatics, and the cicatrization proceeds without help under 

 the scab, which after a day or two covers the edges of the wound. 



