Abstract
Background:
Surgical approaches in small ruminants are commonly performed in daily clinical practice. During laparotomy, the gold standard for each surgeon is the proper approach for each abdominal organ through an accurate site of incision with minimal traumatic injuries.

Aim:
To describe the morphometric character of the flank region and to investigate different sites of incision at both right and left flank regions, with detection of abdominal organ accessibility from each incision site.

Methods:
We selected 15 sheep and 15 goats for the investigations. 5 sheep and 5 goats were used to determine the flank region dimensions. Five incisions were performed at the right and left flank regions: cranial, middle, caudal, low, and transverse paravertebral flank incisions. At each laparotomy incision, organs directly observed at the site of incision, exteriorized and manipulated from the incision site, and organs palpated from the incision were recorded. Differences between sheep and goats were also recorded.

Results:
Morphometric measurements of the flank regions were higher in sheep than in goats. Although the spleen may be approached through a left cranial flank incision, the rumen may be accessed through a left middle flank incision. Low right and left flank incisions provided visualization of the gravid uterus. Left and right transverse paravertebral flank incisions may provide a better approach for the left and right kidneys, respectively. Free access to the duodenum may be achieved from a right cranial flank incision, whereas the caecum, jejunum, and colon may be directly seen following right middle flank laparotomy.

Conclusion:
Choosing an accurate site for incision in the current study may provide higher visualization with less tissue manipulation. Sheep differ from goats in the size of the abdominal cavity and in access to abdominal organs from right and left flank laparotomy.

Key words: Flank region; Goats; Laparotomy; Sheep; Surgical incision.