Ultrasound follow-up of adhesions after one-step laparoscopic abomasopexy for correction of left displaced abomasum in cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasonography on the determination of the thickness of adhesion formation at the abomasopexy site in cows which had undergone one-step laparoscopic abomasopexy. Ten Holstein cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA) were included in the study. Animals were treated with one-step laparoscopic abomasopexy whilst standing. Postoperative ultrasonographic examinations were carried out starting immediately after surgery (day 0), and on days 28, 90 and 120 by using a 5 MHz linear transducer. The thickness of the adhesion formation was measured between the abdominal wall and the abomasum. Ultrasonographic image revealed the area of fixation on day 0 as a mild distorted subcutaneous tissue. A heterogeneous hypoechoic irregular-shaped mass (adhesion) was observed between the abomasum and abdominal wall on days 28, 90 and 120. Average thickness significantly (p <0.05) increased from day 0 to day 28, but tended to decrease afterwards. The average thickness at the abomasopexy site was recorded as 20.47, 22.82, 22.34 and 21.92mm on days 0, 28, 90 and 120, respectively. Ultrasonographic examination can diagnose and measure adhesions between the abomasum and the abdominal wall. During the study period, adhesion formation was followed up to the 120th day, and in this period the thickness of the adhesion tended to decrease. Long follow-up studies are thought to be beneficial to determine the difference in adhesion thickness.