Toggle suture handling means and method

A method of suturing the abomasum of a ruminant animal comprising:

• inserting one end of a cannula through the hide of the animal and into its lumen through a wall of the abomasum;
• inserting one end of a suture and toggle attached thereto in a bore of the cannula and directing the toggle into the lumen of the animal by travel of a forward pointed end of a trocar through said bore behind the toggle, the trocar having an axial slot for receiving the suture and containing it in and along the length of the cannula, and the cannula having an outer end for location outside of the animal;
• limiting the extend of the travel of the cannula into the lumen by providing the outer end of the cannula with an integral flange that engages the hide of the animal and prevents the cannula from slipping completely into the lumen;
• limiting the travel of the trocar through the bore of the cannula by providing the trocar with a handle that abuts against the flange of the cannula after the toggle clears the cannula in the lumen and the forward end of the trocar behind the toggle enters the lumen beyond the end of the cannula;
• removing the cannula and trocar from the lumen;
• and
• using the toggle and suture to tie the stomach wall of the animal to its side.