This is the third of four videos on some of the common concerns with the ovariohysterectomy procedure.
Dropping a pedicle, especially the ovarian pedicle as it will fall dorsally, deep into the abdomen, can be the making of a nightmare for some surgeons, especially the less experienced ones.
The key is not to panic! Start by applying pressure (just caudal to the kidney) and get organized. An assistant is always good to have for these situations, you’ll want some lap sponges and probably more hemostats. Then you need to extend your incision, cranially for the ovarian pedicles; and don’t stingy here, the better you can see into the abdomen, the quicker you will be able to grab the bleeder. Use the mesocolon or mesoduodenum to allow a good view of the left or right gutter (dorsal abdomen); watch the video to see how it’s done.
Then use what I call the Pressure, Pause, Peak, Repeat technique. And don’t leave out the Pause; that’s the part where you take a breath and refocus yourself.