202 RESECTION OF THE FLEXOR PEDIS TENDON. 



43. RESECTION OF THE FLEXOR PEDIS TENDON. 



Fig. 15. 



Object. The removal of necrotic tissues and disinfection 

 in cases of infected wounds, chiefly of nail wounds of the 

 navicular bursa. 



Instruments. Elastic ligature, drawing knife, sage 

 knives, scissors, tenaculum forceps, curette, scalpels, 

 tenaculse, bandage material. 



Technic. Before the operation thin the horn of the sole, 

 frog and bars until the soft parts can be seen through them 

 and apply an antiseptic bandage saturated in creolin solution 

 for 24 hours if time will warrant. Secure the patient on the 

 operating table or by casting in lateral recumbency with the 

 affected foot extended. Anaesthetize. Cleanse and disinfect 

 the entire foot with soap, brush, creolin or sublimate solution 

 and 50% alcohol and apply the elastic tourniquet in the 

 metacarpal or metatarsal region. Apply towels saturated 

 with antiseptics as in preceding operation. Make a trans- 

 verse incision through the base of the frog 2 to 3 cm. from 

 the balls through the horny and sensitive portions and the 

 fatty cushion down to the flexor pedis tendon. Follow this 

 by two converging incisions extending forward and inward 

 in an oblique direction corresponding to the^'semi-lunar crest 

 of the OS pedis, the line of incision being in the bars about 

 ^2 cm. outward from the lateral groove of the frog and 

 uniting at its apex. This triangular piece of frog which 

 has been isolated by the incision is now grasped with the 

 tenaculum and dissected away. The remnants of the fatty 

 frog should be removed with the sage knife or scalpel by 

 means of a horizontal incision, and there is then revealed 

 the flexor pedis tendon which may be greenish or yellowish 

 colored and necrotic, or may be covered with reddish colored 

 granulations. 



