Veterinary obstetrics / by W. L. Williams.

  • Walter Long Williams
Date:
1917
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Veterinary obstetrics / by W. L. Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    608/672 (page 578)
    The ligature should come away ordinarily after five to ten days, along with the necrotic stump of the uterus. Pending this time, the vagina should be irrigated daily with antiseptics. In the amputation of the uterus, the veterinarian should aim, in all cases where it is practicable, to include the ovaries in order to eliminate the annoyance of estruin in the permanently sterile animal. Amputation by means of sutures is more surgical and safer than the ligature. After the thorough cleansing of the pro¬ lapsed organ and the careful manual exploration of its peritoneal cavity, to make sure that it does not contain the bladder or the intestines, it should be grasped and extended by an assistant. The row of sutures should be placed horizontally—that is, the suture line should be parallel to the broad ligaments of the uterus and vagina. In healing, this will tend to leave a flat vulvo-vaginal floor, without interference with the ureters, bladder, or urethra. The assistant should therefore hold the uterus spread out flat from side to side. This plan may be facilitated by constructing rude clamps from two pieces of wood of sufficient length (approximately twelve inches) tying them together at one end with a stout cord, passing the free ends over the prolapsed organ, pressing the ends together, and tying them securelv with a cord. An assistant holds the uterus b\ grasping the clamps. The suturing may then occur immediately against the distal side of the clamps. If the precautions ad¬ vised regarding prolapse of the bladder or intestines into the uterine sac have been taken, the sutures can be applied without any possibility of wounding other viscera. The clamps should be so adjusted that, while completely controlling hemorrhage and adequately securing the uterus, they shall not press so severely upon any portion of the tissues as to imperil their life. The sutures should be of heavy braided silk, and should be interrupted and overlapping. 1 hat is, in the cow or the mare the initial suture should be inserted three-fourths to one inch from the margin and the margin included within the suture when tied. The second suture is to be begun either upon the vulvar or the ovarian side of the first, about one-fourth inch nearer the margin of the uterus than the median end of the first suture. The median end of the second suture is to be brought