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→Coeliotomy approach
==Coeliotomy approach==
==Coeliotomy approach==
[[Image:Ventral_abdo_vein.bmp|300px|thumb|right|'''The ventral abdominal vein''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Ventral_abdo_vein.bmp|300px|thumb|right|'''The ventral abdominal vein''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
===Lizards===
* Paralumbar and midline approaches are recommended.
* Paralumbar and midline approaches are recommended.
* Serious haemorrhage can occur if the ventral abdominal vein (which is very large and located on the ventral midline a few millimetres deep to the linea alba) is cut. A paramedian incision is recommended to avoid this. If a ventral midline approach is used great caution is advised!
* Serious haemorrhage can occur if the ventral abdominal vein (which is very large and located on the ventral midline a few millimetres deep to the linea alba) is cut. A paramedian incision is recommended to avoid this. If a ventral midline approach is used great caution is advised!
===Snakes===
Common indications for coeliotomies include dystocia and related problems, abscesses and exploratory surgery especially for taking biopsies. Consider magnification for small snakes and lizards. The coeliotomy incision is usually made lateral to the ventral scales between the first two rows of lateral scales (between the scales rather than through them). This will allow eversion of the skin without any distortion when suturing. There are three layers to incise – skin, muscle and pleuroperitoneum. When closing, muscle and pleuroperitoneum can be sutured together.
*'''Abcesses''' - Abscesses should be dissected out and removed in total, unlike cats or dogs where a simple drain may suffice. The wound is flushed with a diluted antiseptic such as chlorhexidene. After extraction the skin is sutured for primary healing or left open to heal by secondary intention.
*'''Wound healing''' - Surgical incisions in reptiles undergo the same phases of healing as mammalian wounds but strengthen much more slowly. Factors affecting wound healing include ambient temperature (remember the POTZ!), hygiene and orientation (longitudinal wounds heal more quickly). Leave sutures in for at least four to six weeks. Warn owners that shed skin may adhere in the areas of the healed surgical wounds for several sheds postoperatively. This can be gently removed. Skin incisions tend to invert so use an everting suture pattern (e.g. horizontal mattress, staples).
==Wound healing==
==Wound healing==