72 LIGATION OF THE CAROTID ARTERY


divide the artery midway between them. The second liga-
ture is necessary in order to prevent hemorrhage from the
distal end through collateral anastomoses and it is essential
to sever the artery when permanently ligated, in order to
avoid its rupture by the stretching of the undivided carotid,
during movements of the neck, where the nutrition has
been cut off at the point of ligation. Provide drainage for
the wound and suture the muscle and skin.
19. ESOPHAGOTOMY
Fig. 25, 27


Instruments. Razor, scissors, convex scalpel, straight
probe-pointed bistoury, tenacula, artery forceps, absorbent
cotton, suture material.
Technic. ‘The operation can be carried out on the stand-
ing or the recumbent animal. At its origin the cesophagus
lies above the trachea somewhat to the left of the median
line, and as it descends it gradually deviates to the left until
in the lower cervical region it lies down along the left side
of the trachea.
The operation is performed at any point between the
pharynx and chest where the lodgment of a foreign body or
other condition may demand. When the esophagus is
empty, the practice operation is best performed in the lower
third of the neck at 4, Fig. 25.
