Comparative Study on Midline and Flank Approaches for Ovariohystrectomy in Cats

The study was carried out to compare midline and flank approaches for ovariohysterectomy in cats. The following parameters were studied: age, weight, incision length, duration of operation (min), duration of wound healing (days), gross wound appearance, histological characterization of wound healing and complications. Cats were divided into two groups based on surgical approaches for ovariohysterectomy Group-F (Flank approach) and Group-M (Midline approach). Both groups were further sub-divided into two subgroups, each comprising of 6 cats, based on age. Thus, there were total four subgroups which were named as Fy, My, Fa, Ma. The cats in subgroup-Fy, My, Fa and Ma were aged about 7.17±0.61, 7.50±0.76, 29.67±3.71 and 33.00±3.54 months respectively. The subgroup-Fy, My, Fa and Ma were weighing 1.72±0.12, 1.75±0.14, 3.73±0.24 and 4.02±0.16 kg respectively. The incision length was 1.65±0.11, 1.95±0.12, 2.82±0.13 and 2.88±0.23cm in subgroup-Fy, My, Fa and Ma, respectively. The incision length was given shorter in subgroup-Fy than that of all subgroups of cats. The duration of operation was 23.50±1.31, 31.50±1.52, 24.50±1.48 and 28.33±0.92 min in subgroup-Fy, My, Fa and Ma, respectively. The duration of operation was significantly taken higher (P<0.05) in subgroup-My than other subgroups of cats. The wound healing period was 11.67±0.99, 14.84±0.95, 10.67±1.15 and 14.50±00.89 days in subgroup-Fy, My, Fa and Ma, respectively. The wound healing in sub-group-My and Ma, took significantly (P<0.05) more duration than other subgroups of cats. Gross changes like erythema, dehiscence and discharge after 18-24 hours of surgery scored significantly higher (P<0.05) 1.75, 0.50, 0.50 in subgroup-My, whereas swelling was scored significantly higher (P<0.05) in sub-group-Fa. Gross changes like swelling, erythema, dehiscence and discharge after 10-14 days of surgery were significantly (P˃0.05) not subsided in subgroup-My as compared to other subgroups of cats. Complications rate was higher (24%) in subgroup-My and Ma than subgroup-Fy and Fa, while subgroup-Fa found with minimum complications rate (3%). It is concluded that ovariohysterectomy through flank approach is superior to the midline approach due to convenience, reliability, faster healing, rapid recovery and less postoperative complications. Further, it is concluded that ovariohysterectomy is suitable to perform in adult cats.