Introduction

• Vaginal injuries are a common occurrence for primiparous animals.
• Vaginal injuries are associated with parturition , particularly in dystocia cases with forced extractions and manipulation of the fetus and/or fetopelvic disproportion.
• Vaginal wall lacerations can result in prolapse of the bladder or perivaginal fat.
• Other vaginal lacerations are known as perineal lacerations, and occur in the dorsal aspect of vestibule and vagina.
• Perineal lacerations are classified into three degrees:
  • First degree - is defined as a laceration that involves the skin and mucus membrane of the vestibule.
  • Second degree - is defined as a laceration that involves the skin, mucus membrane and disruption of the fibro muscular tissues between the vagina/vestibule and rectum.
  • Third degree - is defined as a laceration that resulted in a complete disruption of the tissues between the vestibule and rectum, which results in complete communication between the vestibule and rectum. 

Uses

Advantages

• The procedure can be carried out in the standing animal.
• The procedure for third degree perineal laceration repair can be completed eight to twelve weeks after the traumatic event (when healing has commenced and swelling has subsided).

Disadvantages

• Can be a technically difficult procedure to carry out.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Prognosis

• Good - low incidence of complications.
• Poor to guarded - if the lacerataions have resulted in peritonal contamination of uterine fluids or fecal material.

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Prado T M, Schumacher J & Dawson L J (2016) Surgical procedures of the genital organs of cows. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 32 (3), 727-752 PubMed.
• Dreyfuss D J, Tulleners E P, Donawick W J & Ducharme N G (1990) Third degree perineal lacerations and rectovestibular fistulae in cattle: 20 cases (1981-1988). JAVMA 196, 768-770 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Fubini S L & Ducharme N (2004) Farm Animal Surgery. Elsevier Health Sciences, USA. pp 399- 402.