INNERVATION AND VASCULARIZATION
The segmental innervation of the abdominal wall corresponds to the common pattern, and the minor variations are of little importance because paravertebral anesthesia is rarely practiced in the horse.
The vascularization also follows the common pattern in the main. Mention may be made of a cranial branch of the deep circumflex iliac artery, which extends forward from the region of the coxal tuber between the muscles of the flank; it is susceptible to injury during surgery in this region. The artery of the right side is also at risk in trocarization, which is occasionally performed to relieve tympany of the cecal base. The abdominal floor and lower flank are served in the usual way by the cranial and caudal epigastric arteries and their superficial branches. Paradoxically, these vessels are at less risk when the classic procedures are employed than in laparoscopic surgery in which stab wounds are blindly made to create the necessary instrument portals. No warning of the exact position of the vessels is available, and should vascular damage occur, control of the resulting hemorrhage may be troublesome and time-consuming. It is said that the caudal epigastric artery is the vessel most often traumatized. The superficial thoracic or spur vein runs toward the axilla in the superficial fascia at the ventral edge of the cutaneous muscle. Connections with tributaries of the external pudendal vein make it available as an alternative drainage route from the prepuce or udder.
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