Page 220 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

CHAPTER 39 I

Caslick's Procedure (Vulvoplasty)

\

John C. Janicek

mare's conformation.3 To reduce the likelihood of
INDICATION
removing an excessive width of mucosa, thumb

forceps may be used to apply downward tension

Pneumovagina resulting from abnormal perineal on the band of excised mucosa. Excessive mucosal

conformation.
removal results in excessive scar tissue forma-

tion, making future Caslick's procedures more

difficult. 3'4

EQUIPMENT Once the mucosa has been excised, the exposed

surfaces are apposed beginning at the dorsal com-
No special equipment is required.

POSITIONING AND PREPARATION

The mare is restrained standing in a stock or

backed into a stall doorway. The tail is held out of

the way by an assistant or wrapped and tied

forward. Following aseptic preparation of the per-

ineal region, local anesthetic (15 to 20 mL using a

22-gauge needle) is infiltrated along the vulvar ~\

labial mucocutaneous margin (Figure 39-1). \1 '
\I I
Excessive local anesthetic infiltration should be

avoided to prevent distortion of the mucocuta- ~

neous margins. 1 i

PROCEDURE

Beginning at the level of the ischiatic tuber and

extending to the dorsal commissure, a thin band

of mucosa approximately 3 to 5 mm wide is

excised from each side of the vulva along the 'o/.t.12-t:.~t --

mucocutaneous margin' (Figure 39-2). The Figure 39-1 Infiltration of local anesthetic along the

exact length of tissue removed depends on the vulvar mucocutaneous margin,

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