Dorsal recumbency

Dorsal recumbency is the standard positioning of the animal during surgery.

The patient is positioned in dorsal recumbency with the neck extended and supported by a padded area.

Pharyngotomy intubation may be considered for correction of caudally located clefts, providing the pharyngeal wall is not required for cleft repair.

Oral and nasal cavities are rinsed with an antiseptic (e.g., 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) before the surgical procedure. Then, periodontal treatment (i.e., supra- and subgingival scaling and polishing) is performed.

For CL repair, the hair over the dorsal maxillas and nose is clipped and the skin surgically prepared with a suitably antiseptic.

Nerve blocks are performed as indicated, and the patient is draped in a sterile manner.