Preparation of an Omental Pedicle Flap in Cats and Dogs Through a Lateral Approach Laparotomy-A Cadaver Study

The use of an omental pedicle flap as an adjuvant treatment has gained popularity in veterinary medicine due to its versatility. This technique has been successfully applied in both intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal surgeries in human as well as veterinary medicine. In most intra-abdominal procedures, the greater omentum can be easily accessed through a midline laparotomy and directed to the area of interest. However, dogs and cats are typically positioned in lateral recumbency for extra-abdominal surgeries involving the thorax or limbs. In such cases, a lateral approach to the greater omentum could minimize the risk of infection or trauma associated with patient repositioning. This cadaver study evaluated the feasibility of accessing the greater omentum through a lateral approach laparotomy in both left and right lateral recumbency. A total of 22 cadavers (13 cats and 9 dogs) were included. Dorsal extension of the greater omentum was successfully performed in all specimens without major structural damage. Further elongation using an inverted L-shaped pedicle flap was achieved without rupture in 17 of 22 cadavers (77.3%). The results demonstrate that lateral approach laparotomy provides reliable access to the greater omentum and allows successful mobilization of the omentum for potential extra-abdominal applications, with no significant differences observed between left and right lateral approaches. This technique may represent a useful alternative in clinical situations where repositioning the patient is not feasible or carries increased surgical risk.