Feline Ovarian Pedicle Ligation: A Comparison of Two Techniques Taught among AAVMC Institutions.

Ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle during ovariohysterectomy is achieved, principally, via one of the following methods: double ligation of the ovarian pedicle or autoligation of the ovarian pedicle, also known as the pedicle tie. The objective of this study was to assess and quantify two methods of teaching feline ovariohysterectomies, specifically ligation of the ovarian pedicle, at American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges-accredited veterinary schools. Surveys were sent to 52 AAVMC member schools, with an overall response rate of 67.3%. Of the 35 schools that responded to the survey, 34 (97.1%) reported that they teach double ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle, whereas 17 (48.6%) of respondents reported teaching autoligation of the feline ovarian pedicle (2 respondents indicated that a single ligature is sufficient). Only 1 of the schools that reported teaching pedicle ties indicated that it did not teach double ligation of the ovarian pedicle; 16 of the 35 schools that responded to the survey (45.7%) reported teaching both techniques. The results indicate that significantly fewer institutions are currently teaching autoligation of the feline ovarian pedicle than those teaching double ligation of the feline ovarian pedicle.

Evaluation of sutureless scrotal castration for pediatric and juvenile dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine complication rates associated with sutureless scrotal castration (SLSC) performed in a large number of pediatric and juvenile dogs and investigate whether procedure duration differed from that of traditional prescrotal castration (TPSC). DESIGN Prospective case series and clinical trial. ANIMALS 400 shelter-owned dogs that underwent SLSC and 18 shelter-owned dogs that underwent TPSC between 2 and 5 months of age. PROCEDURES In the first phase of the study, SLSC was performed for 400 dogs, which were monitored for ≥ 24 hours after surgery to identify surgery-related complications such as hemorrhage, signs of pain, self-trauma, swelling, and dermatitis at the incision site. In the second phase, the durations of 18 SLSC and 18 TPSC procedures were measured and compared. RESULTS No hemorrhage-related complications were identified in any dog during SLSC in the first phase. Complications were all minor and self-limiting and included peri-incisional dermatitis (9/400 [2.3%]), skin bruising (4/400 [1.0%]), and swelling (1/400 [0.3%]). No self-trauma was observed for any dog, nor did any dog require additional analgesic treatment after surgery. Procedure duration was significantly briefer for SLSC (mean ± SD, 1.0 ± 0.2 minutes) than for TPSC (3.5 ± 0.4 minutes). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that SLSC as evaluated was safe and significantly faster than TPSC when performed in healthy 2- to 5-month-old dogs. The SLSC technique has the potential to improve morbidity and mortality rates as well as financial costs associated with castration, particularly in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter programs.

Pedicle ties provide a rapid and safe method for feline ovariohysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The specific objectives of the present study were to evaluate the rate of hemorrhage-related complications across a large number of feline pedicle tie (PT) procedures, and evaluate for a difference in surgical time between traditional pedicle double ligation (PDL) and PT procedures. METHODS: In the initial phase of the study, 2136 intact female cats underwent an ovariohysterectomy using the PT technique. Hemorrhagic complications not detected intraoperatively were to be confirmed via exploratory surgery or necropsy. The second phase of the study recorded the duration of surgery for four groups: kittens undergoing PTs (n = 50), kittens undergoing PDL (n = 49), adult cats undergoing PTs (n = 50) and adult cats undergoing PDL (n = 54). Kittens were defined as a cat 4 months old or younger. Statistical comparisons of age, body weight and surgical times between the PT and PDL groups were performed within, but not between, kitten and adult cat categories. RESULTS: Six of 2136 (0.281%) cats experienced a hemorrhage-related complication associated with the ovarian pedicle. Five of the six ovarian pedicle hemorrhage-related complications were recognized and corrected intraoperatively, with the remaining hemorrhagic event being detected postoperatively. Surgical times were significantly shorter in PT kittens compared with PDL kittens (4.7 ± 0.1 mins vs 6.7 ± 0.1 mins) and PT adult cats compared with PDL adult cats (5.0 ± 0.2 mins vs 7.0 ± 0.2 mins). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates that the PT technique is associated with a very low risk of hemorrhage-related complications and is significantly faster than double ligating the ovarian pedicle in kittens and adult cats. Use of the PT technique has the potential to be of significant economic benefit in institutions performing large numbers of feline ovariohysterectomies.