OHE[1]

Elective ovariohysterectomy in pet pigs is often much easier after their first estrus cycle, which occur around 8 weeks of age. However, there is likely an increased risk of neoplasia after the first heat cycle, as there is in dogs. Prior to this time the uterus is often less than 2mm in diameter and very hard to find. Gas and injectable anesthesia should be used, with surgeon’s preference of local block. An NSAID should be on board prior to surgery as well.

Flank, ventrolateral, paramedian, and ventral midline incisions have been described. For the purposes of this Guide and reported owner preference, a ventral midline approach will be described here. The flank approach (described later) is the preferred method for caesarian sections.

The incision is made in the caudal abdomen at the level of the most caudal two teats. After incising the linea alba and entering the abdomen, digital and visual inspection should be performed to assess for any adhesions and identify the uterus. If the pig has already had at least 1 heat cycle the uterus is often visually present at the site of the incision. Take care to differentiate the uterus from the intestines, they can easily be mistaken as the uterine horns are long and tortuous. The broad ligament is very fibrous and vascular. There is no suspensory ligament to break down, so the uterus is easily exteriorized. The ovaries often appear cystic due to large number of ovulations in the female.[2] Each ovary can be elevated through the incision and the pedicles ligated with a synthetic absorbable suture as you would with a dog spay, size of suture depends on size of pig and stage in estrous cycle. Each pedicle can then be transected per the preference of the surgeon. The mesometrium (broad ligament of the uterus) is then ligated with 2-4 overlapping simple interrupted sutures, this provides mass ligation of the blood vessels. Two transfixing ligatures (on opposite sides) are placed in the uterine body just cranial to the internal os of the cervix. The uterine body can then be transected. The method of transection and clamp placement is again left to surgeon preference. The linea alba can then be closed with the same absorbable suture in a simple continuous pattern (or surgeon preference pattern). The subcutaneous layer is closed in a simple continuous pattern with an absorbable suture. It is recommended that the skin be closed using an intradermal pattern with appropriately sized absorbable suture, this prevents the need for suture removal that may require sedation. It is recommended that tattoo ink be used to mark the pig as a sterilized animal.