PRIMARY REPAIR OF ABOMASAL FISTULAS RESULTING FROM RIGHT PARAMEDIAN ABOMASOPEXY IN 8 ADULT DAIRY-CATTLE

Abomasal fistulae resulting from right paramedian abomasopexy in eight adult dairy cattle were treated by primary closure of the abdominal w all after surgical resection of the fistulae. The median elapsed time from the abomasopexy to recognition of fistula formation was 16 days ( range, 10 to 90 days). All cows had normal electrolyte values, and fiv e cows had mildly increased base excess values (range = 4.0 to 7.8 mEq /L). Surgery was performed with the cows in dorsal recumbency using ge neral anesthesia. The fistulated tissue was resected and the abomasum and body wall were closed primarily. One or two layers of appositional sutures using #2 or #3 polyglactin 910 were used to close the body wa ll. Mean surgical time was 2.2 hours (range, 1.8 to 2.9 hours). Two co ws were lost to follow-up. Five of the remaining six cows returned to production (range, 5 to 30 months). Primary closure of the abdominal w all should be considered in the surgical repair of abomasal fistulae i n cows that do not have diffuse peritonitis.