Ovariectomy vs. Ovariohysterectomy

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank Dr. Davidson for sharing his thoughts on ovariohysterectomies (OVH) and ovariectomies (OE) with us. Dr. Davidson is of the opinion that in the hands of an experienced surgeon, an OVH is no less invasive than an OE.

I have to disagree with this comment; although the length of the abdominal incision may not differ much between the two techniques in some dogs, with an OVH, the broad ligaments are torn over their full length, and the uterine body is ligated and transected. These structures are left intact with an OE. The result is less surgical trauma and less potential for complications. Recent research has shown that there is no sound medical reason to amputate a healthy organ (the uterus) when a female dog is sterilized.

I am not trying “to seek a solution to a problem that does not exist,” as Dr. Davidson states. (See article entitled Laparoscopic Ovariohysterectomy in Nine Dogs.

) Although OVHs are considered routine surgeries, they are not without risk or discomfort for the patient. Trying to minimize this risk and discomfort by developing less-invasive techniques and improving existing surgical procedures is our duty as a profession. Veterinary medicine is a dynamic science, and, as professionals, we need to be ready to change our methods as new information becomes available; be it vaccination protocols or surgical techniques for sterilizing female dogs.

Sincerely,