Comparison of the Ventral Approach to the Canine Hip Joint Using Gelpi Retractors and an Elastic O-Ring Wound Retractor

Abstract

This study included 10 fresh adult cadavers of large breed dogs (6 males and 4 females). Their weight ranged from 25 to 45 kg (mean ± SD: 33.9 ± 6.2 kg). The breeds represented were crossbreed dogs (n = 5), German shepherds (n = 2), Bernese mountain dogs (n = 1), American Staffordshire terriers (n = 1), and Gordon setters (n = 1). Access to the target area and identification of the femoral head and neck was achieved with two Gelpi retractors inserted orthogonally and with the O-WR in all procedures. In each dog, the approach to the hip joint was made on the left and right sides. There was no significant difference in the area of the surgical wound bed between the two sides using either the Gelpi retractors (−0.52 ± 1.87 cm2; CI 95%: −1.86, 0.81 cm2; p = 0.398) or the O-WR (−0.27 ± 2.34 cm2; CI 95%: −1.94, 1.41 cm2; p = 0.729). The area of the surgical wound bed was 6.28 ± 1.72 cm2 (2.72–9.70 cm2) for the Gelpi retractors and 6.34 ± 1.81 cm2 (4.13–10.77 cm2) for the O-WR, and the difference between the Gelpi retractors and the O-WR was not significant (−0.06 ± 1.72 cm2; CI 95%: −0.86, 0.74 cm2; p = 0.879)