U64 RESECTION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGE 



using at all times that knife, right or left, which will result 

 in its concave surface being presented toward the cartilage ; 

 then by carefnlly keeping the line of excision immediately 

 against the cartilage, material danger of penetrating the 

 joint is avoided. Remnants of cartilage at its juncture with 

 the retrossal process of the os pedis, and any granulations 

 present are to be removed with the curette. Cut away with 

 the scissors and knife any remnants of cartilage adherent to 

 the flap, p, thin if necessary the entire flap and excise the 

 fistulous openings, g. After thorough disinfection of the 

 entire field of operation, return the flap to its former posi- 

 tion and retain it there by a sufficient number of interrupted 

 sutures as shown in Fig. 6i. The first sutures to be applied 

 should be at the border line between the skin and coronary 

 band in order to insure accurate apposition at this point. 

 Disinfect the wound surface with two per cent, chlorazene 

 solution. Pack the cavity remaining after the removal of 

 the cartilage with powdered boric acid. Cover the entire 

 surface with gauze saturated with two per cent, chlorazene, 

 cover with dry cotton to prevent evaporation and over this 

 apply a tar bandage. Remove the elastic ligature. If the 

 animal is free from fever, feels and eats well, the bandage 

 is left in position from 12 to 14 days. Healing by first 

 intention. 



The two chief dangers in the operation are the opening 

 of the corono-pedal articulation and the persistence of a 

 scar in the coronary band resulting in a quarter crack. 



If the operation has been kept thoroughly antiseptic, the 

 opening of the articulation is not necessarily serious. 



The question of preventing a weakening scar at the coro- 

 nary incision is one of strict antisepsis and accurate sutur- 

 ing. The operation frequently fails under indifferent 

 technic. It is an operation for the careful surgeon only. 

 In the succeeding modification of the quittor operation, the 

 danger from a weak scar or a fissure in the coronary band 

 is obviated and in this respect is to be preferred. 



