Detailed Explanation of the Incision Method for the Small Flank Spay Surgery in Female Pigs
AbstractThe small flank incision method for female pigs requires selecting female piglets around 35 days old and 10 kg for castration. Before surgery, they must be fasted for half a day, the surgical site must be disinfected, and then the peritoneum is directly incised. The incision only needs to be 8 mm. After ascites gushes out, the ovaries on both sides and the uterus are removed, and tincture of iodine is applied to the incision. The key to the success of the small flank method lies in accurately locating the surgical site, and the technique must be proficient. Using this method for castration can avoid wound infection and eliminate the harm of tetanus.
Small Flank Incision Method for Female Pigs
Except for replacement gilts, once female pigs reach a certain stage, they all need to be castrated, as this helps increase fat deposition. Therefore, the small flank method can be used for castration. This method can avoid wound infection and also eliminate the harm of tetanus. The incision at the surgical site only needs to be 8 mm, the surgery takes about 1 minute, and it does not affect the female pig's feeding, nursing, or movement.
1. Selecting the piglet
Select a female piglet around 35 days old and 10 kg, and fast it for half a day before surgery.
2. Restraint
With the left hand, the operator lifts the female pig's left hind limb to encourage the intestinal tract in the abdominal cavity to move forward, then with the right hand grasps the left knee fold to make the female pig fall onto its right side, then steps on the left side of the female pig's neck with the right foot, and with the right hand braces and presses the knee joint so that the female pig's left hind limb is straightened backward, with the female pig's body in a semi-supine position. Finally, step on the metatarsal part of the left hind limb with the left foot.
3. Surgical site
On the lower left abdomen of the female pig, at the junction between the coarse hair and fine hair, and at the position opposite the hip tubercle, located 2D3cm outside the second-to-last teat on the left side.
4. Surgical method
(1) Perform routine disinfection of the surgical site. Place the middle finger of the left hand against the right hip tubercle, and press firmly with the thumb on the slightly inner side of the surgical site, keeping the two fingers in a straight line. The tighter the pressure, the closer to the ovary, and the higher the success rate of the surgery.
(2) Hold the scalpel steadily with the right hand, using the thumb, middle finger, and index finger to control the depth of the blade, and incise the skin vertically with the tip of the knife, preferably making a longitudinal incision. Experienced operators can directly incise the peritoneum, while beginners can use the handle of the knife to rupture the peritoneum.
(3) After incising the peritoneum, a small amount of ascites will gush out. At this time, apply slight outward force to enlarge the surgical incision. When the female pig squeals, as the abdominal pressure rises, the uterine horn will also protrude.
(4) If it does not come out, the thumb of the left hand must press it firmly, and the knife handle can be placed into the abdominal cavity to make an arc-shaped sliding motion. As the female pig squeals, the abdominal pressure sharply rises to make the uterus protrude, then grasp the protruding ovary and uterine horn with the right hand, then switch to holding them with the left hand, and use the right hand to press the surgical incision on the abdominal wall.
(5) After the ovaries on both sides and the uterus are completely pulled out, the uterine body can be cut with the knife, and the ovaries on both sides and the uterus removed.
(6) Apply tincture of iodine to the incision, then lift the female pig's hind limbs, swing the body slightly, and then release it to let the female pig move freely.
5. Precautions
The success rate of the small flank method depends on the surgical site. Generally, if pink tissue is seen after incision, it is the small intestine, indicating that the incision is relatively far forward, while if white tissue is seen, it is the bladder, indicating that the incision is relatively far back.