When a patient is having an ovariohysterectomy performed, the patient is placed in __________ recumbency.

When a patient is having an ovariohysterectomy performed, the patient is placed in __________ recumbency.

• A. Dorsal
• B. Ventral
• C. Lateral
• D. Sternal

Answer: (A)

Positioning for an ovariohysterectomy centers on getting excellent access to the ventral abdomen where the ventral midline incision is made. Placing the patient in dorsal recumbency—lying on the back with the ventral abdomen facing upward—provides the most direct, unobstructed access to the abdominal organs. Gravity helps move the intestines away from the midline, making the ovaries and uterus easier to locate and remove, and it supports a stable, clean surgical field with straightforward draping and instrument access. Other positions don’t offer the same ventral exposure: lateral recumbency can shift organs and obscure the field, ventral recumbency would press the abdomen against the table and hinder midline access, and sternal recumbency is not ideal for exposing the ventral abdomen during this procedure.

Positioning for an ovariohysterectomy centers on getting excellent access to the ventral abdomen where the ventral midline incision is made. Placing the patient in dorsal recumbency—lying on the back with the ventral abdomen facing upward—provides the most direct, unobstructed access to the abdominal organs. Gravity helps move the intestines away from the midline, making the ovaries and uterus easier to locate and remove, and it supports a stable, clean surgical field with straightforward draping and instrument access. Other positions don’t offer the same ventral exposure: lateral recumbency can shift organs and obscure the field, ventral recumbency would press the abdomen against the table and hinder midline access, and sternal recumbency is not ideal for exposing the ventral abdomen during this procedure.