148 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



sion it brings to each edge of the wound is often so unequal 

 as to draw the wound out of range and thus confuse rather 

 than facilitate subcutaneous dissection. However, if the leg 

 is abnormal from disease so as to require a long wound, and 

 especially if the surgeon is without an assistant to bail blood, 

 the elastic retractor is of service. 



TECHNIQUE. — The operation proper is not unlike the 

 digital operation in general, yet there are some sufficiently 



Fig. 89. 



Figs. 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89— Forms of Feet in which Neurotomy is 



Strictly Contra-Indicated. 



salient variations in the details to demand a separate descrip- 

 tion. , 



First Step. — Locating the Seat of Incision. — The incision 

 is made over the groove dividing the tendon of the flexor 

 pedis perforans from the great suspensory ligament. It is 

 made near the tendon rather than in the middle of the 

 groove or too near to the ligament. The antero-posterior 



Fig. 90— Elastic Retractor. 



position of the incision must vary somewhat with the proxi- 

 mo-distal location selected. That is, if the nerve is to be 

 divided high the incision is made in the middle of the groove 

 some distance from the tendon, but if a lower location is de- 

 cided upon it is made near the tendon, in fact almost over its 

 level. At the low position (Fig. 92) the nerve lying in close 

 contiguity to the vein is easily felt with- the fingers and thus 

 immediately suggests the exact location. There is always 



