A very common procedure for female cats, ovariohysterectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made into the abdominal cavity to allow access to the entire reproductive tract. Each ovary is loosened from its attachment near the kidney and then is double ligated, meaning the blood vessels are tied off with two separate sutures. The tissue is transected, or cut, with a scalpel blade and observed for bleeding. The ligaments of the uterus are detached and the uterus is double ligated just above the cervix. This tissue is cut and examined for bleeding.
Before closing the surgery site, all ligatures, or sutures, are checked again to ensure that no bleeding is occurring. The abdominal incision is then closed in two layers: the internal muscle layer and the skin are sutured separately. Sometimes the skin is closed with absorbable suture or skin glue, a procedure which does not require a return visit to the veterinarian unless there are complications. However, certain veterinarians select external skin sutures that are nonabsorbable, requiring a suture removal appointment in seven to 14 days. During this appointment, the veterinarian will be able to evaluate the incision.
