Enucleation of the eye in a cat surgical technique. Surgical technique - evisceration of the eye with placement of an intraocular prosthesis in dogs and cats

Vision is one of the most important components of the life of any organism. The eye is a complex and therefore the most fragile structure. The organ of vision allows both animals and humans not only to perceive the world around them, in all the diversity of its colors and shades, but also to look into the depths of the soul of every living creature.

A perfect organ of vision allows people to be people with their inner world, and cats to be graceful representatives of nocturnal mammals engaged in predation. Cats see well in low light and can perceive a wide range of shades; vision allows them to perceive the outside world, gives an idea of the surrounding objects, their size, shape, movement in space and distance.

Cats' eyes, like any other organ, can suffer from diseases. The causes of diseases are varied: infectious lesions, injuries from claws and blunt objects, tumor processes, indirect effects on vision of systemic diseases, etc. In the first days of the disease, cats may only experience redness of the conjunctiva, lacrimation or slight squinting. A number of infections also occur with purulent discharge, for example, feline herpes virus, infectious rhinotracheitis, and chlamydia.

Unfortunately, in our time of the spread of information technology, many owners self-medicate, using human medicines that they learned about on the Internet, or by analogy with the treatment of their own diseases, without taking into account the peculiarities of the delicate structure of the organ, which independently worsens the course of the disease . In all cases of concern about your pet’s vision, the best solution to resolve the problem is to find an opportunity to contact a veterinarian.

In veterinary clinics, ophthalmologists have the opportunity to thoroughly examine the eye visually and using special equipment. All pathologies can be divided into those that are amenable to therapeutic treatment, these include conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis, and others; and pathologies that require surgical interventions. With certain complications, the eyeball becomes a source of severe suffering and the pathological process developing in the orbit of the eye can become a serious threat to the life of the animal.

The veterinarian, having assessed the condition, decides to remove the eye. Terminal stages of glaucoma, penetrating wounds of the eyeball, contusions or blunt trauma to the eye, extensive hemorrhages and damage to the vascular component of the organ, panophthalmitis (inflammation of all membranes of the eye), tumor processes are not cured during therapeutic treatment and remission does not occur. Complications developing inside and directly next to the eye can only be stopped through surgery. Surgical intervention is aimed at eliminating the pathological focus that causes discomfort and pain to the animal.

There are three main methods by which cat eye removal: enucleation, evisceration and exenteration.

Enucleation of the eye- removal of the entire organ while preserving its surrounding components (eye muscles, eyelids, etc.)

Evisceration- a surgical operation that involves removing the contents of the eyeball and preserving one empty outer layer of the eye (sclera).

Exenteration- this is the removal of the eye with all the contents of the orbit, leaving only the bone walls. This method is used for malignant tumors of the eye and orbit.

Removal of a cat's eye is performed under general anesthesia, followed by suturing and prescribing the necessary medications. The tactics and method of surgical intervention are determined by the attending physician at the appointment, after collecting anamnesis, examination and obtaining the results of the required tests.

To avoid organ loss, it is important for pet owners to remember that healthy cat eyes are clean, wide open and do not require special care - you just need to periodically examine them and, as necessary, rinse them with hygienic drops, which are sold in any pet store. Also, your cat's eyes need to be rinsed if you notice slight red-brown crusts in the inner corner of the eye or slight tear stains. However, since eye diseases for cats, alas, are not uncommon, if suspicious changes appear in the eye area, it must be shown to a veterinarian.

Mamaev Andrey Vladimirovich,

veterinary surgeon-surgeon SVK "Svoy Doctor" Kuzminki branch

Indications for eyeball removal – a blind and painful eye, for example, with panophthalmitis, uncontrolled glaucoma, buphthalmos, chronic uveitis with retinal detachment, subatrophy of the eyeball (with secondary entropion), proptosis with complications (hemophthalmos, rupture of the membranes), and removal is also necessary for intraocular neoplasms.

Technique of surgery to remove the eyeball

There are 2 methods of eye removal: subconjunctival and transpalpebral. In my opinion, the second one is preferable, as it allows you to perform the operation as cleanly as possible.

The fur from the eyelids is shaved, the skin is treated with 10% betadine. A circular incision is made in the skin and subcutaneous tissue around the palpebral fissure, 5-7 mm away from the edges of the eyelids. The incision is deepened with scissors so as to completely cover the conjunctival sac and the anterior part of the eyeball. It is important to completely remove the third eyelid and its gland, the conjunctiva. Next, they continue to separate the tissue from the eyeball, exposing the sclera and cutting off the optic nerve. A purse-string type suture is placed on the retrobulbar tissue with absorbable suture material to stop bleeding. Next, the subcutaneous tissues are sutured, the skin is sutured without leaving any holes.

In the postoperative period, a systemic antibiotic is used for 5-7 days, sutures are treated once a day, a protective collar is most often not required.

After 14 days, the sutures are removed (Figure 1).

Removing the eyeball has its advantages: speed (20 minutes), short recovery period (3-5 days), low likelihood of complications, low likelihood of needing a second operation.

The only conditional disadvantage of the operation is the cosmetic effect; it may not satisfy the owner (the patients themselves did not complain).

Eyeball prosthetics (evisceration) is an operation in which the entire contents of the eyeball (lens, vitreous, retina, choroid) are removed through an incision in the sclera, leaving the cornea and sclera, and a silicone implant is placed in the resulting cavity.

Indications for prosthetics this is a blind and painful eye, but for the success of the operation, the good condition of the auxiliary apparatus of the eye (normal humidity, full blinking) is important, and there is also contraindications : infected eye, chronic uveitis, intraocular neoplasms.

A patient with eye subatrophy or severe buphthalmos is also a poor candidate for prosthetics, since the prosthesis is placed according to the size of the eye minus 1-2 mm.

Cats are also poor candidates because the main cause of eye loss in cats is glaucoma secondary to uveitis or intraocular neoplasm, and there is evidence that trauma to the intraocular structures in cats can provoke the development of post-traumatic feline sarcoma, so enucleation is advisable for cats.

Technique of eyeball prosthetic surgery

The surgical field is prepared as for removal; the conjunctival sac is irrigated with a 0.2% betadine solution. An incision is made in the bulbar conjunctiva and sclera along the limbus at 180 degrees. The contents of the eyeball are removed and a prosthesis is placed inside. The choice of prosthesis is carried out in advance by measuring the eye using ultrasound; the prosthesis should be slightly smaller than the size of the eye in order to properly suture the sclera. The sclera is sutured with absorbable suture material, a continuous suture, and the bulbar conjunctiva is also sutured.

Video of the operation (prosthetic eyeball after eye loss):

In the postoperative period, a systemic antibiotic is required for 7-10 days, non-steroidal systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, a local antibiotic, and a protective collar.

14-20 days after surgery, the eye does not require any care.

Prosthetics have their disadvantages: surgery lasts longer (up to 45 minutes), longer recovery period (up to 10-14 days), higher risk of complications (reaction to the prosthesis, corneal erosions), potentially risk of re-operation (removal in case of complications) .

Eye prosthetics has the only advantage: a good cosmetic effect (Figure 2).

Enucleation of the eye is an operation to remove the eyeball. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to save an animal’s eyeball, especially in cases of late contact with an ophthalmologist or in cases of severe eye injury, tumors and complicated cases of eyeball prolapse. The eyeball is removed only when vision is irretrievably lost and when the eye causes suffering to the animal, as well as in cases of risk of involvement of organs and tissues adjacent to the orbit in the pathological process.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia in an operating room and with the necessary equipment. It consists of removing the eyeball, periocular muscles and lacrimal glands and the edges of the eyelids. After that, stitches are placed on the eyelids. Later, the operation site is hidden by fur, and the defect does not seem repulsively ugly.

Eyeball loss in a foundling dog

The same dog after enucleation. Drainage for outflow is visible in the corner of the eye

Prices, rub.

The price does not include consumables and additional work

Question answer

Good day. In your clinic, a dog (Labrador) underwent ACL surgery using the TPLO method. 04/16/2019 will be a month. There will be a similar one on the second paw. But there is a desire to sterilize the dog using the endoscopic method as soon as possible. We need to come to you on May 16, 2019 for a follow-up appointment and x-ray. Is it possible to have a dog sterilized on the same day? Or is it early? And all these manipulations can harm the dog’s speedy recovery (given the frequency of use of anesthesia and other medications), as well as the recovery course for the operated paw. Thank you! Irina

Question: Is it possible to do TPLO surgery and sterilization at the same time?

Hello! Yes, everything can be done at the same time. This does not affect the recovery process in any way.

Hello! The dog had acute renal failure after anesthesia 2 years ago. For two years now, the tests have been normal. The dog is now 8 years old. After each heat, she has severe cramps. The dog has not given birth. Can she be sterilized? What anesthesia is best to use? Now I'm very afraid of anesthesia. Tatiana

Question: is it possible to sterilize a dog if there was acute renal failure after anesthesia?

Hello! Sterilization is indicated. The risks, taking into account normal tests, are no greater than for other planned patients. Propofol anesthesia is used.

Eye surgeries for cats and kittens

Our four-legged friends often have problems with their eyes. We recommend visiting your veterinarian regularly, at least once a month, for an examination. This is especially important to do at a young and mature age.

There are situations when treatment can be done with drops or antibiotics, but with severe damage and diseases of the visual organ, complications may arise that require eye surgery in cats.

Symptoms of eye disease

The best way to preserve your pet's vision is to have regular eye exams. You can do this yourself at home or in a veterinary clinic. If problems are detected in the early stages, they can be eliminated with medication without resorting to surgery. When examining the animal, be sure to wash your hands and treat them with alcohol. Gently open the eyelid without pressing on it.

If you notice the following symptoms of eye disease in cats, contact your veterinarian immediately:

Redness - the most common problem, which can be caused by diseases of varying severity, which can lead to complete loss of vision.
Pus is released - a sure sign of conjunctivitis. This inflammation occurs quite often and is accompanied by purulent discharge and the appearance of a crust on the eyelid.
An injury has occurred and due to severe pain, the cat does not allow him to approach him.
Blepharospasm - inability to open the eyelid or constant squinting.
Increased tearfulness, fear of light.

Operations on the eyes of a cat

Surgeries on the eyes of cats are performed for the following pathologies:

Corneal ulcer the most difficult diseases that require immediate treatment. Extensive and deep injuries must be operated on urgently to prevent blindness.
Turn of the century It is less common than in dogs, but such cases still occur. This is a pathology when the skin fold turns inward. Because of this, eyelashes and fur touch the cornea, irritating the mucous membrane. If the problem is not corrected in time, this will lead to loss of vision and even removal of the eyeball.
Cataract- characterized by clouding of the lens, deterioration of vision to complete blindness.
Enucleation- removal of the eyeball. It is required in cases where the visual organ cannot be saved, its functions are lost or it threatens the life of the animal.

Benefits of treatment at the Komondor veterinary clinic

The feline ophthalmology department at the Komondor Veterinary Center accepts patients with eye problems. The clinic is equipped with European ophthalmological equipment for complex diagnostics and the required conservative or surgical treatment.

Our veterinary center employs experienced, highly qualified ophthalmologists who will provide professional medical care to your pet.

If you notice symptoms of eye disease in cats or you see that your pet has been injured, consult a doctor immediately. Timely detection of pathology and prescription of treatment will avoid eye surgery and maintain the health of the visual organ.

Definition

Enucleation is an operation in which the eyeball is completely removed.

Indications.

The main indications for enucleation are various pathological processes with completely impaired visual function, while the purpose of the operation is to relieve the animal of pain, thereby improving the quality of life. Another indication may be various neoplasms of the eyeball; in this case, surgery is performed in an attempt to prevent further spread of the tumor throughout the body (metastasis).

The essence of the operation

During the operation, the eyeball itself is removed, along with the third eyelid and most of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane). Also, during the operation, the edges of the eyelids are removed and the palpebral fissure is sutured, which prevents infection of the wound and creates a better cosmetic effect.

In developed countries, removal of part of the eyeball (evisceration) is widely used and a special implant (eye prosthesis) is installed in this place. In the conditions of Russian reality, this type of operation is poorly accessible.

Postoperative care

During the immediate postoperative period (3-4 days), antibacterial therapy is carried out and painkillers are prescribed. When applying intradermal sutures, the wound does not require additional treatment.

Forecasts

Most animals tolerate this type of surgery well. After surgery, infectious inflammation of the surgical wound is likely, but this complication is much rare and can be easily corrected when it occurs. An extremely rare complication of the operation can be blindness in the neighboring eye, which develops when there is excessive tension on the optic nerve during the operation.

Margot is preparing for an operation at the veterinary clinic, she was terribly unlucky, she was bitten by a dog, in this photo she looks more like a character from a horror movie.

And here is Margot immediately after surgery at the veterinary clinic (two photos approximately an hour and a half apart).

This Sphynx was also very unlucky; while still a kitten, he suffered from a herpes viral infection, which deprived him of his sight. The owners hesitated for a long time to operate on the animal, but after surgical treatment at the veterinary clinic, they noted an improvement in the quality of life - an increase in the animal’s mobility and playfulness.

P.s. Animals, unlike people, do not have inferiority complexes, and they absolutely do not care what they look like from the outside. But animals, just like humans, are capable of experiencing pain, and one of the tasks of a doctor is to relieve him of this pain.

Veterinary clinic of Dr. Shubin, Balakovo