Soft tissue surgery

Neus Morera; Charly Pignon; Laetitia Volait-Rosset

doi:10.22233/9781910443903.12

Soft tissue surgery

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , e16 (2026); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443903.12

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Soft tissue surgery

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Authors: Neus Morera, Charly Pignon and Laetitia Volait-Rosset
From: BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pigs
Item: Chapter 12, pp 133 - 151
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443903.12
Copyright: © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: January 2026

Guinea pigs are challenging surgical patients with high perianaesthetic mortality. This chapter covers the adaptation of general principles for soft tissue surgery to operating on guinea pigs, with a focus on tools and techniques that are particularly important to reduce postsurgical mortality in this species. Operative techniques: Prescrotal open orchidectomy; Flank ovariohysterectomy.

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Figures

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12.1

(a) Metallic ring retractors come in a variety of sizes and include elastic hooks. The whole set can be sterilized with a standard autoclave machine, though the elastic stays may last longer if they are cleaned using gas sterilizers. (b) Metallic ring retractor in use. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.1 (a) Metallic ring retractors come in a variety of sizes and include elastic hooks. The whole set can be sterilized with a standard autoclave machine, though the elastic stays may last longer if they are cleaned using gas sterilizers. (b) Metallic ring retractor in use.

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12.2

A recumbent guinea pig undergoing anaesthesia. Towels are positioned under the thorax and head to elevate them and minimize the likelihood of gastric reflux. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.2 A recumbent guinea pig undergoing anaesthesia. Towels are positioned under the thorax and head to elevate them and minimize the likelihood of gastric reflux.

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12.3

Trichofolliculomas are benign neoplasms of the hair follicle and contain a thick amorphous material (visible to the right of the image) that should not be mistaken for pus. As with abscesses, trichofolliculomas must be dissected completely, including the wall of the mass, to prevent recurrence. There is no need to leave wide margins in these cases and these masses often become very large. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.3 Trichofolliculomas are benign neoplasms of the hair follicle and contain a thick amorphous material (visible to the right of the image) that should not be mistaken for pus. As with abscesses, trichofolliculomas must be dissected completely, including the wall of the mass, to prevent recurrence. There is no need to leave wide margins in these cases and these masses often become very large.

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12.4

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12.4 A boar with a tumour of the right mammary gland (arrowhead).

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12.5

(a) Ventrodorsal and (b) lateral views of the abdominal organs of the sow. Note the space occupied by the intestines. (a) Some features of the gastrointestinal tract have been removed. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.5 (a) Ventrodorsal and (b) lateral views of the abdominal organs of the sow. Note the space occupied by the intestines. (a) Some features of the gastrointestinal tract have been removed. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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12.6

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12.6 The ovary is located in the fat pad that lies under the abdominal wall and is easily identified by the contorted salpinx.

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12.7

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12.7 A large urolith at the ventral aspect of the urethral opening of a sow.

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12.8

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12.8 Removal of a large urolith after incision of the bladder. Note the traction sutures either side of the incision.

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12.9

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12.9 A ureterolith can be seen inside the ureter of this guinea pig. Note the enlarged ureter.

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12.10

Location of the eye glands of the guinea pig. The Harderian gland lies medial to the globe, occupying the orbit. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.10 Location of the eye glands of the guinea pig. The Harderian gland lies medial to the globe, occupying the orbit. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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12.11

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12.11 An infraorbital odontogenic abscess located on the ventral aspect of a guinea pig’s eye.

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12.12

Postoperative appearance following surgery to correct entropion of the lower lid. The stitches are placed and cut in a way that prevents any accidental damage to the cornea. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.12 Postoperative appearance following surgery to correct entropion of the lower lid. The stitches are placed and cut in a way that prevents any accidental damage to the cornea.

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12.13

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12.13 A short Elizabethan collar can be used to protect the surgical site with minimal disturbance to the guinea pig.

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12.14

Exposure of the tympanic bulla during a TECALBO procedure in a guinea pig. The ear canal has been removed. The acoustic meatus has been widened to facilitate the collection of a sample of material for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing and subsequent cleansing of the interior of the tympanic bulla. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.14 Exposure of the tympanic bulla during a TECALBO procedure in a guinea pig. The ear canal has been removed. The acoustic meatus has been widened to facilitate the collection of a sample of material for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing and subsequent cleansing of the interior of the tympanic bulla. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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12.15

Surgical wound at the end of a TECALBO procedure in a guinea pig. A marsupialization of the tissue surrounding the tympanic bulla has been created using an interrupted suture pattern to allow postoperative flushing of the tympanic bulla. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.15 Surgical wound at the end of a TECALBO procedure in a guinea pig. A marsupialization of the tissue surrounding the tympanic bulla has been created using an interrupted suture pattern to allow postoperative flushing of the tympanic bulla. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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12.16

(a) Exploration of the ear canal and tympanic bulla of a guinea pig with left-sided otitis media, performed using a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope with a 3.5 mm operating sheath. (b) Diagram showing the positioning for this endoscopic examination. The patient is positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected side uppermost. Ventral structures of the ear will appear dorsal in the endoscopic image and vice versa. The tip of the endoscope is inserted into the external ear canal vertically to visualize the tympanic membrane. (a Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA; b Redrawn after Eric Josié) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.16 (a) Exploration of the ear canal and tympanic bulla of a guinea pig with left-sided otitis media, performed using a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope with a 3.5 mm operating sheath. (b) Diagram showing the positioning for this endoscopic examination. The patient is positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected side uppermost. Ventral structures of the ear will appear dorsal in the endoscopic image and vice versa. The tip of the endoscope is inserted into the external ear canal vertically to visualize the tympanic membrane. (a Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA; b Redrawn after Eric Josié) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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12.17

Visualization of an intact tympanic membrane in a guinea pig, using a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope. Pus can be seen at the 9 o’clock and 2–3 o’clock positions. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.17 Visualization of an intact tympanic membrane in a guinea pig, using a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope. Pus can be seen at the 9 o’clock and 2–3 o’clock positions. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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12.18

(a) Diagram showing a sagittal view of the ear of the guinea pig. Guinea pigs have a full tympanic bulla, the incus and malleus are fused, and the cochlea has 3.5 turns. (b) Myringotomy. A small incision is made in the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane to allow drainage of the middle ear. Guinea pigs have only a pars tensa and lack a pars flaccida. (Redrawn after Eric Josié) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.18 (a) Diagram showing a sagittal view of the ear of the guinea pig. Guinea pigs have a full tympanic bulla, the incus and malleus are fused, and the cochlea has 3.5 turns. (b) Myringotomy. A small incision is made in the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane to allow drainage of the middle ear. Guinea pigs have only a pars tensa and lack a pars flaccida. (Redrawn after Eric Josié) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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12.19

Visualization with a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope of the interior of the tympanic bulla in a guinea pig with otitis media. This image was obtained after the tympanic bulla had been ruptured using a myringotomy needle and the bulla had been flushed with warm saline. Pus and debris are still present despite flushing. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.19 Visualization with a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope of the interior of the tympanic bulla in a guinea pig with otitis media. This image was obtained after the tympanic bulla had been ruptured using a myringotomy needle and the bulla had been flushed with warm saline. Pus and debris are still present despite flushing. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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12.1.1

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12.1.1 A 1–1.5 cm cutaneous incision is made in the cranial aspect of the left testicle.

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12.1.2

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12.1.2 Subcutaneous tissues are bluntly dissected until the pink tunica vaginalis is seen.

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12.1.3

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12.1.3 The tunica vaginalis is detached from the skin.

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12.1.4

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12.1.4 The tunica vaginalis with the testicle is pulled out and the testicle is milked distally.

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12.1.5

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12.1.5 The testicle is exteriorized through an incision in the distal end of the tunica vaginalis.

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12.1.6

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12.1.6 The testicular vessels and ductus deferens are ligated and transected (with bipolar forceps in this case) then relocated in the inguinal canal.

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12.1.7

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12.1.7 The tunica vaginalis is closed using a transfixing ligature and the distal end is removed.

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12.1.8

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12.1.8 The skin is closed with a subcutaneous to intradermal pattern.

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12.1.9

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12.1.9 Final appearance of the surgical site.

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12.2.1

A 1.5–2 cm incision is made on one of the flanks, using the lateral processes of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib as reference points. The white line indicates the position of the incision. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.2.1 A 1.5–2 cm incision is made on one of the flanks, using the lateral processes of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib as reference points. The white line indicates the position of the incision.

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12.2.2

The abdominal wall is incised with blunt dissection, and the ovary and ipsilateral uterine horn are found in the fat pad that lies medial to the abdominal wall. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.2.2 The abdominal wall is incised with blunt dissection, and the ovary and ipsilateral uterine horn are found in the fat pad that lies medial to the abdominal wall.

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12.2.3

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12.2.3 The ovarian vessels are ligated and the ovary and uterine horn are elevated out of the abdomen.

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12.2.4

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12.2.4 The uterine horn is exteriorized until it reaches the uterine body, and then the contralateral uterine horn is located and exteriorized.

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12.2.5

A haemostatic clip is placed on the contralateral ovarian pedicle before it is transected distally to the clip and both uterine horns are exteriorized. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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12.2.5 A haemostatic clip is placed on the contralateral ovarian pedicle before it is transected distally to the clip and both uterine horns are exteriorized.

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12.2.6

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12.2.6 One or two haemostatic clips are placed on the uterine body before it is transected.