Prospective comparison of perioperative wound and pain score parameters in cats undergoing flank vs midline ovariectomy

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to prospectively compare perioperative pain score and wound parameters, inclusive of postoperative swelling and erythema, between flank and midline ovariectomy (OVE) in cats, performed by final-year veterinary students.MethodsHealthy cats presented for routine OVE were randomly assigned to either the midline or flank group after owner consent to participate in the study. Perioperative protocols were standardised for both groups. Clinical data were collected prior to surgery, intraoperatively, at 1 h postoperatively, at the time of discharge, and at 3 and 10 day postoperative re-examination appointments. Data recorded included duration of surgery and anaesthesia, intraoperative complications, Feline Acute Pain Scale (FAPS) scores, a simple descriptive scale of reaction to wound palpation (SDSwound), a dynamic and interactive visual analogue scale assessment of pain (DIVAS), and both a simple descriptive scale (SDSswelling) and a visual analogue scale (VASswelling) of sur...