Comparación del tiempo de recuperación de la herida mediante dos técnicas quirúgicas en gatas esterilizadas en la clínica UTMACH

Abstract

Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is a common sterilization surgery in cats, mainly performed by means of celiotomy (abdominal incision) or flank incision (incision on the side). Although it is a frequent procedure, there is no scientific consensus on which technique is superior in terms of wound recovery time. This research seeks to compare recovery time in healthy cats undergoing OVH using both techniques, evaluating factors that influence healing. The objective is to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each technique to select the most appropriate one, contributing to the control of feline overpopulation. Although sterilization is common and beneficial, it can cause discomfort to cats during recovery, depending on the technique used. The lack of conclusive studies in the clinic creates a knowledge gap that affects clinical decisions and animal welfare. This research seeks to provide concrete data for veterinarians to choose the most appropriate surgical technique, improving recovery and veterinary practice in the region. This study compared the surgical wound recovery time and postoperative pain in cats sterilized by flank incision and celiotomy. The results showed no significant differences in wound recovery time or postoperative pain intensity between the two techniques. Although the flank incision showed a slightly shorter healing time, this difference was not statistically significant. It is suggested that both techniques are viable options for sterilization in cats, and the choice between them may depend on other clinical factors or surgeon preferences. However, it is recommended to conduct additional studies with larger samples and more rigorous designs to confirm these findings and explore other possible benefits or disadvantages of each technique.