Volvulus of the bovine abomasum and omasum

Two cows with right-side volvulus (torsion) of the abomasum and omasum were embalmed, and the viscera were dissected to study the topography and mechanisms of the condition. In both cases, the abomasum and omasum were greatly distended and formed a loop with the cranial part of the duodenum. The loop was twisted 360 degrees counter-clockwise, as viewed from the rear or from the right, around an axis through the lesser omentum. The reticulum was drawn caudally on the right side of the rumen by its attachment to the fundus of the abomasum. Study of a model of the stomach and omenta indicated that the more probable mode of rotation was in a sagittal plane. The mode of rotation made no difference in the result or in the method of reduction, which was deflation and rotation in the opposite direction. pressure and tension damage to the ventral vagal trunk and to the blood vessels would indicate a guarded prognosis.