29. Approaches, indications, and contraindications of cattle abdominal surgery Flashcards
Approaches?
Approaches
• Laparotomy= cut on abdominal wall creating a window meaning you can palpate and visualise the
organs
• Laparoscopy= a very small cut, more of a puncture using a trocher, using light source and a camera
which gives visibility
Laparotomy?
Laparotomy
- Surgical solution or
- Diagnostic methods (exploratory laparotomy) about 20% of cases
Advantages of laparotomy?
Advantages of Laparotomy
• In the field
o One of the most important advantages, does not need special conditions, can be done in the
stable
- Cost-effective, time-efficient diagnostic tool- for both farmers and vet.
- Manual palpation
- Little stress
- Left or right flank
- Standing restraint (preferred)
General indications of Laparotomy?
General Indications of Laparotomy
- Abdominal digestive tract
- Peritoneum
- Spleen
- Diaphragm (hiatus oesophagus, rupture)
- Kidney, ureters, and urinary bladder
- Inguinal rings
- Omentum
- Liver and gallbladder
- Mesentery and/or lymph nodes
- Internal genitalia
- Skeleton (e.g., vertebral, and pelvic abnormalities)
Contradictions of Laparotomy?
Contraindication:
• Weak general health status of the dam, as must be in standing position not recumbency so if animal
cannot stand you should not perform the laparotomy
CS indications?
Caesarean Section (CS) Indications:
• Dystocia:
o Immature heifers and cows with large (relatively oversized) foetuses
o Uterine torsion
o Pelvic injuries
o Foetal monsters and foetal anomalies hydroallontois or hydramnios)
o Malpresentations
o Severely prolapsed vagina
• To perform research (elective cs)
Cs contradictions?
Caesarean Section (CS) Contraindications:
• Emphysematous foetuses
o This is when if calving is stopped but the vaginal canal is open, many bacteria can enter the
uterus and foetuses resulting in very fast pathological changes=emphysematous foetus. If you
open abdominal cavity the bacteria will enter the abdominal cavity leading to toxicosis and rapid
death. - In this case do a partial or total fetotomy
• Uterus rupture (too late)
o If it is a fresh rupture, you need a C-section to suture it, you cannot use vaginal canal for this
o If the rupture is swollen and there is bleeding, or if in an abdominal position and this rupture
cannot be palpated with laparotomy
Decision for CS?
Decision:
- Viability and probability of a viable uninjured calf
- Degree of contamination
- Time required
- Value of the calf and value of the dam
- Facilities and assistance- require minimum one assistant, more are better
- Experience of the surgeon
- Overall prognosis
- Surgical risks, aftercare, fees
- Uterine rupture? (Too late)
Special indications for rumenotomy?
Special indications for rumenotomy
• Ruminal-reticular disease
o Rumenitis
• Foreign body
o Traumatic reticulitis or traumatic reticuloperitonitis
• To remove ruminal contents
o Rumen impaction
o Toxic indigestion
o Omasal impaction
o Reducing a ruminal mass: before a pericardiotomy
