Quick Spay Technique
 By Marvin Mackie, D.V.M.
Quick-spay: a term identifying pet sterilization by veterinarians specializing in repetitive high-volume spay/neuter surgery in a conscientious effort to eliminate pet overpopulation. The Quick-spay technique produces results that are consistently superior to mainstream spay/neuters. A disciplined Quick-spay surgeon has greatly improved related skills that result in a procedure that is completed in a much shorter time frame than that required by the non-specialized veterinarian using traditional techniques.

The Quick-spay surgeon understands and applies these concepts:

The big picture: The accomplished Quick-spay veterinarian has an awareness of the critical pieces required in a day's work and the fact that teamwork gets the job done. Orchestrating the whole picture so that no one part waits on another is an ongoing, vital and satisfying goal.

Focus of effort: Surgery is a time for concentration on hand/eye coordination and making every move count. This applies to the support team as well as the surgeon. The surgical area should be devoid of distractions, small talk, etc.

Applied energy: The dictionary defines “work” as physical and/or mental effort. To succeed, a Quick-spay surgeon must apply concentrated effort and energy with unparalleled resolve.

Technique improvement: Improvement begins with a realization that all motor tasks of accomplishment have a beginning point but no real end point of betterment. In medicine, as in music or sports, someone is always “better” and there is always room for improvement. “Good enough”, isn't!

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  Qualities of a Quick-spay surgeon...how do you compare?

  • Uses surgical packs containing 7 to 9 instruments maximum. This same pack can spay/neuter a one-pound kitten or a 150-pound Great Dane.
  • Instinctively knows the ideal incision location, which varies by species, age and reproductive status.
  • Makes a small incision, just sufficient to utilize a spay hook and extract. Realizes there is no advantage to a buttonhole, laporatomy approach.
  • Routinely secures and extracts the initial horn in less than 10 seconds.
  • Uses one hemostat on ovarian pedicle as he/she ligates.
  • Uses stainless steel suture (4-0 for dogs, 5-0 for cats). This is hands-down the suture of choice for Quick-spay surgery.
  • Closes fascia with a series of cruciate sutures or continuous line.
  • Uses intradermal or sub dermal skin closures for a clean, quick and secure finish, eliminating return for stitch removal.
  • Has attained a “cut to close” time (assuming normal females) of 6-7 minutes for Queens, 10-12 minutes for small/medium bitches and 15-22 minutes (or better) for medium to large bitches.

At the Quick-spay level there are virtually no complications. This highly developed technique results in safer sterilizations!

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Related Items
Surgical Efficiency with Minimal Post Op Complications

Demonstration of Quick-Spay Technique


Resources
Establishing and Maintaining a Low-Cost Community Spay/Neuter Clinic

Early-Age neutering: A Practical Guide for Veterinarians

13 Hints for Increasing Speed of a Surgery Clinic


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