A Comparative Study on Midline and Right Flank Ovariohysterectomy with Special Reference to Postoperative Changes During Wound Healing in Cats

Abstract

Ovariohysterectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed in dogs and cats, which prevents the risk of development of mammary tumor and pyometra. Although there is no standard surgical approach to the ovariohysterectomy of dogs, some prefer the midline over the flank approach. This study compared postoperative hematological, hormonal, and wound healing responses in cats undergoing ventral midline versus lateral flank ovariohysterectomy. Thirty clinically healthy female cats were randomly divided into two equal groups, with Group I subjected to midline ovariohysterectomy and Group II to flank ovariohysterectomy. Blood samples were collected on Day 0 (preoperative) and on postoperative Days 1, 3, and 7 for complete blood count and serum cortisol and estrogen estimation, and wound healing was assessed clinically. Both approaches produced significant postoperative changes; however, the midline group showed significantly higher total leukocyte counts, neutrophil percentages, and serum cortisol levels, along with lower lymphocyte percentages, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume during the early postoperative period (p < 0.05), indicating greater surgical stress and inflammatory response. Serum estrogen concentrations decreased significantly in both groups following ovariohysterectomy, with a more pronounced decline in the midline group. Clinically, wound healing was uneventful in most cases except one case of evisceration and one case of wound breakdown in midline ovariohysterectomy, but cats undergoing flank ovariohysterectomy demonstrated milder inflammatory reactions, earlier normalization of hematological and hormonal parameters, and without evisceration and wound breakdown. Overall, lateral flank ovariohysterectomy was associated with reduced postoperative stress and faster recovery compared to the ventral midline approach.