Repeat laparotomy for gastrointestinal disorders in cattle: 57 cases (1968-1992)

A study was conducted to investigate indications for, typical findings during, and outcome of repeat laparotomies in 57 cattle with gastrointestinal disorders. Cattle were grouped according to the reason the initial laparotomy had been performed. Group-1 cattle (n = 46) had had left or right displacement of the abomasum (LDA or RDA) or right volvulus of the abomasum. Group-2 cattle (n = 10) had had ruminal, reticular, or abomasal obstruction or perforation. Group-3 cattle (n = 7) had had obstruction, volvulus, distention, or perforation of the small or large intestine. Median interval between laparotomies was 1 month (range, 1 day to 38 months). Intraoperative findings during repeat laparotomy in group-1 cattle included LDA (n = 18), RDA (9), right volvulus of the abdomen (5), pneumoperitoneum (1), diffuse abdominal adhesions (1), cecal adhesions (1), adhesions of the rumen to the body wall (1), abscess in the cranial portion of the abdomen (1), reticular adhesions (1), localized necrosis (1), and idiopathic rumen distention (1). Intraoperative findings during repeat laparotomy in group-2 cattle included abscess in the cranial portion of the abdomen (4), no abnormalities (1), distended rumen (1), ruptured abomasum (1), recurrent abomasal impaction (1), diffuse abdominal adhesions (1), and pyloric fat necrosis (1). Intraoperative findings during repeat laparotomy in group-3 cattle included LDA (3), RDA (1), cecal volvulus (1), anastomotic rupture (1), and impacted colocolostomy (1). Seven cows and 1 calf underwent additional repeat laparotomies. Forty-four (77%) of the 57 cattle were discharged following final laparotomy. Fourteen of the 20 group-1 cattle, 1 of the 6 group-2 cattle, and 2 of the 3 group-3 cattle for which follow-up information was available were productive after repeat laparotomy.