Lateral recumbency position

The cat is placed in lateral recumbency on the surgery table with the injured limb uppermost.

Preparation of the limb is done outside of the surgical suite. The entire limb is clipped circumferentially starting from the vertebral column to just distal to the hock. The clipped hair is vacuumed. The distal part of the limb is isolated with a non-sterile wrap in a way that allows the limb to be hung during the sterile scrub and draping. A general scrub is done before bringing the patient into the operating room.

In the operating room, the limb is put into a hanging limb position. The limb is prepared for aseptic surgery by performing the final sterile surgical scrub.

Corner drapes are placed around the surgical site and secured with towel clamps. A non-sterile assistant releases the distal limb from the hung position, while the surgeon sterilely grabs and covers the distal limb with a sterile waterproof drape. A sterile additional wrap can be added or a sterile bootie can be placed. An extremity or laparotomy drape covering the entire surgery table is recommended on top of the corner drapes.

Make sure there is access to the hip joint and trochanteric area of the proximal femur.

If desired, a sterile stockinette can be applied and sutured to the edges of the skin incision.

An iodine impregnated drape can be used to cover the exposed skin as an alternative to a stockinette or bootie. The goal of these techniques is to minimize contact with the skin during the surgery.