Introduction

• Technique for performing a flank laparotomy in cattle.
• Indicated if no specific diagnosis has been made but the clinical picture indicates involvement of the gastrointestinal or urogenital tracts.
• Indicative signs may include:
  • Presence of audible 'pings'.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Abdominal distension.
  • Gastrointestinal hypomotility.
  • Reduction in fecal output.
  • Heart rate >100 beats per minute.

Uses

• For diagnosis and/or surgical correction of various abdominal organ problems.
• Approach is determined according to clinical signs.
• Right sided approach is preferable if unsure from the clinical presentation.

Indications

• The decision to perform a laparotomy may be based on suspicion of one of the problems listed below.
• However, it may also be performed due to vague clinical signs, where any abdominal event is suspected and surgery will aid diagnosis and treatment. 
• This decision will often be subjective and based on the experience of the veterinary surgeon. 
• The prognosis and value of the animal may play a deciding role.

• When incising in the left sub lumbar fossa, a more cranial approach may be indicated if cranial abdominal organ involvement is suspected and likewise for more caudal.
• Left sided approach will be appropriate for:
  • Left Displaced Abomasum Left Displaced Abomasum.
  • Cesarean Cesarean.
  • Traumatic reticulitis Traumatic reticulitis.
  • Rumenotomy Rumenotomy.
  • Ruminal bloat Ruminal bloat.
  • Can also check:
    • Left border of liver.
    • Left kidney.
    • Ovaries.
    • Descending colon.

• Again, when incising in the right sub lumbar fossa, a more cranial approach may be indicated if cranial abdominal organ involvement is suspected and likewise for more caudal.
• Right sided approach will be appropriate for:
  • Left Displaced Abomasum Left Displaced Abomasum.
  • Right Displaced Abomasum Right Displaced Abomasum.
  • Cecal dilatation and/or torsion.
  • Intestinal intussusception.
  • Can also check:
    • Large intestine.
    • Small intestine.
    • Liver.
    • Kidneys.

• The location and viability of affected organs can be checked systematically.
• Many organs can be visualized and suitable samples taken if necessary.
• Visualization of the problematic organ can aid in determining prognosis.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Prognosis

• Dependent on findings and diagnosis.

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

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

Other sources of information

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