Chapter 5: Table of Contents
Females
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In females, incise the skin along midline, clamp any subdermal or subcutaneous bleeding vessels and ligated or cauterize as needed. Then continue the incision through the subcutaneous layer using a blade. Finally, expose the linea alba using a blade or scissors preventing excessive dissection or tissue trauma. Remember that any fat you dissect laterally to expose the linea alba will need to be re-apposed to prevent dead space that might predispose to seroma formation. Once exposed, tent the the linea alba by picking it up with thumb forceps (for a right handed surgeon, this is done along the caudal end of the incision) and make a stab incision along midline using a blade (cutting edge facing up). Insert the blade of a Mayo scissor through the stab incision, feel for any adhesions and proceed to extend the incision cranially, adjusting the orientation as needed to remain along the linea alba.