Enterotomy in Cows (Bovis) | Vetlexicon
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Enterotomy

ISSN 2398-2993

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Introduction

  • Enterotomy is a basic technique of intestinal surgery used to access the lumen of the intestine.
  • This description is for the standing, sedated bovine via flank laparotomy.
  • If full anesthesia and surgical facilities are available then dorsal recumbency may improve access to abdominal viscera but carries associated risks of anesthesia, bloat, wound breakdown, etc.

Uses

  • Removal of foreign bodies.
  • Removal of gas, fluid and ingesta.

Advantages

  • A number of enterotomy techniques are available, minimal consumables, technically easy.

Disadvantages

  • Abdominal contamination, stricture at the site of enterotomy, dehiscence.

Technical problems

  • Friable/inflamed tissue.
  • Poor closure.
  • Difficulties maintaining sterility in the farm environment.

Time required

Preparation

  • Preparation/sedation: 20 min.
  • Aseptic preparation: 10 min.
  • Abdominal exploration and exteriorization of site to perform enterotomy: 10-20 min.

Procedure

  • Incision: 1 min.
  • If evacuation of intestinal contents is necessary: 10-45 min.
  • Closure 5-10 min.

Decision taking

Criteria for choosing test

  • Assessment of clinical signs.
  • Presence of likely abdominal event.
  • Decision often a subjective assessment of the patient and experience of the veterinary surgeon.
  • Prognosis and value of animal may play a deciding role.

Risk assessment

  • Tissue health and viability.
  • Ability to exteriorize and isolate the segment to minimize abdominal contamination.

Requirements

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Preparation

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Technique

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Aftercare

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Anderson D E (2008) Surgical diseases of the small intestine. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24 (2), 383-401 PubMed.
  • Edmundson M A (2008) Local and regional anesthesia in cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24 (2), 211-226 PubMed.
  • Meylan M (2008) Surgery of the bovine large intestine. Vet  Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24 (3), 479-496 PubMed.
  • Niehauss A J (2008) Rumentomy. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim  Pract 24 (2), 341-347 PubMed.
  • Niehaus A J (2008) Surgery of the abomasum. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24 (2), 349-358 PubMed.

Other sources of information

  • Wood P & Smith R (online) Flank Laparotomy. In: Vetlexicon Bovis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: www.vetlexicon.com.
  • Hendrickson D A & Baird A N (2013) Flank Laparotomy and Abdominal Exploration. In: Turner and McIlwraith’s Techniques in Large Animal Surgery. Wiley Blackwell, USA. pp 212-215.
  • Scott P, Penny C D & Macrae A I (2011) Diseases of the Digestive Tract and Abdomen. In: Cattle Medicine. Manson Publishing, UK. pp 59-93.
  • Fubini S L & Ducharme N G (2004) Farm Animal Surgery. Eds: Fathman E M. Saunders, USA. pp 184-281.
  • Noakes D E, Parkinson T J & England G C W (2001) The Caesarean Operation. In: Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. Eds: Bureau S. Saunders, USA. pp 341-363.