SOMMAIRE : Table of Contents Sect. I General Considerations 1 Attributes of an Acceptable Approach to a Bone or Joint 2 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Approach 2 Aseptic Technique 3 Surgical Principles 16 Anatomy 26 Sect. II The Head 33 Approach to the Rostral Shaft of the Mandible 34 Approach to the Caudal Shaft and Ramus of the Mandible 36 Approach to the Ramus of the Mandible 38 Approach to the Temporomandibular Joint 40 Approach to the Dorsolateral Surface of the Skull 42 Approach to the Caudal Surface of the Skull 44 Sect. III The Vertebral Column 47 Approach to Cervical Vertebrae 1 and 2 Through a Ventral Incision 48 Approach to Cervical Vertebrae 1 and 2 Through a Dorsal Incision 52 Approach to Cervical Vertebrae and Intervertebral Disks 2-7 Through a Ventral Incision 56 Approach to the Midcervical Vertebrae Through a Dorsal Incision 62 Approach to Cervical Vertebrae 3-6 Through a Lateral Incision 66 Approach to the Caudal Cervical and Cranial Thoracic Vertebrae Through a Dorsal Incision 72 Approach to the Thoracolumbar Vertebrae Through a Dorsal Incision 78 Approach to the Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disks Through a Dorsolateral Incision 84 Approach to the Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disks Through a Lateral Incision 88 Approach to Lumbar Vertebra 7 and the Sacrum Through a Dorsal Incision 92 Approach to the Lumbar Vertebrae 6 and 7 and the Sacrum Through a Ventral Abdominal Incision 96 Approach to the Caudal Vertebrae Through a Dorsal Incision 104 Sect. IV The Scapula and Shoulder Joint 107 Approach to the Body, Spine, and Acromion Process of the Scapula 108 Approach to the Craniolateral Region of the Shoulder Joint 112 Approach to the Craniolateral Region of the Shoulder Joint by Tenontomy of the Infraspinatus Muscle 120 Approach to the Caudolateral Region of the Shoulder Joint 124 Approach to the Caudal Region of the Shoulder Joint 130 Approach to the Craniomedial Region of the Shoulder Joint 136 Approach to the Cranial Region of the Shoulder Joint 142 Sect. V The Forelimb 149 Approach to the Proximal Shaft of the Humerus 152 Approach to the Midshaft of the Humerus Through a Medial Craniolateral Incision 156 Approach to the Shaft of the Humerus Through a Medial Incision 160 Approach to the Distal Shaft of the Humerus Through a Craniolateral Incision 168 Approach to the Distal Shaft and Supracondylar Region of the Humerus Through a Medial Incision 176 Approach to the Lateral Aspect of the Humeral Condyle and Epicondyle 180 Approach to the Lateral Humeroulnar Part of the Elbow Joint 186 Approach to the Supracondylar Region of the Humerus and the Caudal Humeroulnar Part of the Elbow Joint 190 Approach to the Humeroulnar Part of the Elbow Joint by Osteotomy of the Tuber Olecrani 194 Approach to the Humeroulnar Part of the Elbow Joint by Tenotomy of the Triceps Tendon 200 Approach to the Elbow Joint by Osteotomy of the Proximal Ulnar Diaphysis 208 Approach to the Head of the Radius and Lateral Parts of the Elbow Joint 214 Approach to the Head of the Radius and Humeroradial Part of the Elbow Joint by Osteotomy of the Lateral Humeral Epicondyle 218 Approach to the Medial Humeral Epicondyle 224 Approach to the Medial Aspect of the Humeral Condyle and the Medial Cononoid Process of the Ulna by an Intermuscular Incision 226 Approach to the Medial Aspect of the Humeral Condyle and the Medial Coronoid Process of the Ulna by Osteotomy of the Medial Humeral Epicondyle 232 Approach to the Proximal Shaft and Trochlear Notch of the Ulna 236 Approach to the Tuber Olecrani 238 Approach to the Distal Shaft and Styloid Process of the Ulna 240 Approach to the Head and Proximal Metaphysis of the Radius 242 Approach to the Shaft of the Radius Through a Medial Incision 246 Approach to the Shaft of the Radius Through a Lateral Incision 250 Approach to the Distal Radius and Carpus Through a Dorsal Incision 254 Approach to the Distal Radius and Carpus Through a Palmaromedial Incision 258 Approach to the Accessory Carpal Bone and Palmarolateral Carpal Joints 262 Approach to the Metacarpal Bones 266 Approach to the Proximal Sesamoid Bones 270 Approaches to the Phalanges and Interphanlangeal Joints 274 Sect. VI The Pelvis and Hip Joint 277 Approach to the Wing of the Ilium and Dorsal Aspect of the Sacrum 278 Approach to the Ilium Through a Lateral Incision 282 Approach to the Ventral Aspect of the Sacrum 286 Approach to the Craniodorsal Aspect of the Hip Joint Through a Craniolateral Incision 290 Approach to the Dorsal Aspect of the Hip Joint Through an Intergluteal Incision 296 Approach to the Craniodorsal and Caudodorsal Aspects of the Hip Joint by Osteotomy of the Greater Trochanter 300 Approach to the Craniodorsal and Caudodorsal Aspects of the Hip Joint by Tenotomy of the Gluteal Muscles 306 Approach to the Caudal Aspect of the Hip Joint and Body of the Ischium 310 Approach to the Os Coxae 316 Approach to the Ventral Aspect of the Hip Joint or the Ramus of the Pubis 318 Approach to the Pubis and Pelvis Symphysis 322 Approach to the Ischium 326 Sect. VII The Hindlimb 329 Approach to the Greater Trochanter and Subtronchanteric Region of the Femur 332 Approach to the Shaft of the Femur 336 Approach to the Distal Femur and Stifle Joint Through a Lateral Incision 338 Approach to Stifle Joint Through a Lateral Incision 342 Approach to Stifle Joint Through a Medial Incision 346 Approach to Stifle Joint With Bilateral Exposure 350 Approach to the Distal Femur and Stifle Joint by Osteotomy of the Tibial Tuberosity 354 Approach to the Lateral Collateral Ligament and Caudolateral Part of the Stifle Joint 356 Approach to the Stifle Joint by Osteotomy of the Origin of the Lateral Collateral Ligament 358 Approach to the Medial Collateral Ligament and Caudomedial Part of the Stifle Joint 360 Approach to Stifle Joint by Osteotomy of the Origin of the Medial Collateral Ligament 364 Approach to the Proximal Tibia Through a Medial Incision 366 Approach to the Shaft of the Tibia 370 Approach to the Lateral Malleolous and Talocrural Joint 374 Approach to the Medial Malleolus and Talocrural Joint 376 Approach to the Tarsocrural Joint by Osteotomy of the Medial Malleolus 380 Approach to the Calcaneus 382 Approach to the Calcaneus and Plantar Aspects of the Tarsal Bones 384 Approach to the Lateral Bones of the Tarsus 386 Approach to the Medial Bones of the Tarsus 388 Approach to the Proximal Sesamoid Bones 390 Approach to the Phalanges and Interphalangeal Joints 390 Approach to the Metatarsal Bones 390