Bovine intestinal surgery

A clear understanding of the surgical anatomy of the bovine intestinal tract is the most important factor in determining the degree of success to be achieved in the surgical management of intestinal disorders in cattle. However, bovine intestinal anatomy can be very difficult to comprehend, especially in cattle with intestinal distention and malposition. The abundance of mesenteric and omental fat and the compact nature of the mesentery make manipulation and exteriorization of many parts of the bowel difficult. Therefore, it is important to accurately identify specific surgical landmarks. A good working knowledge of the relevant surgical anatomy increases the level of confidence in one's surgical abilities and makes one more willing to consider surgical intervention in a cow with suspected GI dysfunction.