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426
Intas Polivet (2017) Vol. 18 (II): 426-427 Short Communication
1. Assistant Professor, Polytechnic in Animal Husbandry,
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
Junagadh Agricultrual University, Junagadh and
Corresponding author. E-mail: drdevasee@jau.in
Introduction
Caesarean section in buffalo is an emergency
operative procedure being performed principally for
uncorrectable uterine torsion and for delivery of
foetal monsters. Amongst all domestic animals, cattle
and buffalo are considered as species with highest
incidence of dystocia requiring surgical manoeuvre.
Amongst them, uterine torsion is a routine obstetrical
condition which is a complication of either late first
stage or early second stage labour. It is probably
due to instability of bovine uterus which results from
greater curvature of organ being dorsal and uterus
being disposed cranially to its sub-ilial suspension
by the broad ligaments (Roberts and Hillman, 1973).
Although the uterus rotates about its longitudinal axis,
involving uterine body, cervix and cranial part of
vagina the actual twist in majority of cases involves
cranial vagina, but rarely it may affect the posterior
part of uterus with minimal distortion of vaginal walls,
which prevents foetal delivery. The most constant
feature of uterine torsion is its association with
parturition. The rolling of dam is the most popular
method of correction (Singh and Nanda, 1996;
Noakes et al., 2009). Obstetrical intervention is
usually required in uterine torsion as it involves
twisting of birth canal preventing normal delivery of
foetus (Vermunt, 2008). However, in early diagnosed
case of irreducible uterine torsion, it is advisable to
go for Laparohysterotomy to extend the life of both
the foetus and dam.
History and Clinical Observations
A seven years old pluriparous Jafarabadi buffalo in
her fourth lactation with full term gestation was
Laparo-hysterotomy for Management of Uterine Torsion
in a Jafarabadi buffalo
D.N. Borakhatariya1, A.B. Gadara and H.D. Gadhvi
Veterinary Hospital
Karuna Foundation
Rajkot - 360004 (Gujarat)
Abstract
A pluriparous jafarabadi buffalo in her fourth lactation was presented with history of constant abdominal straining and full
term gestation without any progression in foetal delivery. On the basis of clinical and physical examination, it was
diagnosed as left sided uterine torsion and treated by laparo-hysterotomy.
Keywords: Caesarean; schaffer’s method; uterine torsion
presented with complaints of intermittent abdominal
straining since last ten hours with no progression in
foetal delivery. The case was earlier treated
symptoma-tically but fail to deliver foetus. Physical
examination revealed signs of dullness, depression,
arching back, horse stance posture, abdominal pain
with rectal temperature of 103.4oF. Conjunctiva was
congested and hyperaemic. Per rectal examination
revealed post-cervical left side uterine torsion. Per vaginal
examination revealed left twisted vaginal folds confirming
uterine torsion to extent of more than 180 degree.
Treatment
On the basis of symptoms and per vaginal and per
rectal examinations, the case was diagnosed as
dystocia due to left side uterine torsion. Hence, it
was decided to initiate treatment with an aim to detort
it using modified Schaffer’s method. Buffalo was
casted on left side tying front and rear leg separately
and a 2.5 m long wooden plank was applied on
upper right flank to fix uterus and foetus, keeping an
assistant on the plank while turning the buffalo. The
rolling of animal was carried out on left side while
keeping the hand into the vagina. With each rolling
per vaginal examination was carried out to check
the degree of detorsion (Fig. 1). Failing to detort the
torsion upon three rolling, it was decided to go for
C-section/ laparo-hysterotomy.
Surgical site was aseptically prepared after shaving
the site using surgical scrub (7.5% Povidone iodine)
approaching left flank. Local anaesthesia was
achieved by infiltration of 90 ml of 2% Lidocaine in
inverted ‘L’ manner. To prevent tenesmus and violent
movement, posterior epidural anaesthesia using 10
ml of Lignocaine was also given. A vertical oblique
incision of 20 cm was put to incise the skin. Further,
abdominal muscles were incised ligating all bleeding
vessels, while peritoneum was incised using
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Fig. 1: Rolling of dam Fig. 2: Buffalo after recovery
Borakhatariya et al.
scissors. Uterus was brought to the operative site by
holding it through the foetal legs. Uterus was
exteriorised avoiding cotyledons on greater
curvature and a dead foetus in posterior presentation
was removed. Foetal fluid and membranes were
siphoned out. Uterus was flushed out using Normal
saline and Metronidazole solution while placing furea
boluses pessaries in uterus. Uterine incision was
sutured by cushing followed by lambert method using
truglyde absorbable suture material whereas skin
incision was sutured by horizontal mattress sutures
using non-absorbable silk material. Uterus was
replaced back in abdominal cavity after through
washing. Post-operatively, the buffalo was given 8
litres of DNS (IV), 10 ml Tribiveta (Vitamin B1, B6 and
B12, IV), 15 ml Meloxicam IM (Melonexa), 10 ml
Pheniramine maleate (IM), while Amoxicillin and
Clavulanic acid 4.5 g (IV) was given pre-operatively.
The antibiotics and analgesics were given for
successive four days and sutures were removed after
continuous dressing for ten days. Animal made an
uneventful recovery (Fig. 2).
Discussion
Caesarean section is a common obstetrical
operation undertaken by field Veterinarians
which markedly affects reproductive efficiency of
animal. Heavy buffalo breed for instance
Jafarabadi, is more prone to uterine torsion due
to heavy foetal size as well as uneven land
surfaces, where she is kept mainly in Saurashtra
region which is in accordance with Jeengar et al.
(2014) who also stated excessive foetal weight
as predisposing factor for uterine torsion. Foetal
death usually follows in uterine torsion due to
stress on vascularity of foetal membrane and if
condition is unrelieved, the placenta will separate
and foetus will die as a cause of foetal hypoxia.
The most cases of uterine torsion are of right side
as rumen prevents the left side twisting of uterus,
however left side uterine torsion has also been
reported (Srinivas et al., 2007; Phaneendra and
Srilatha, 2015). Dam survival rates are high when
the operation is performed within 24-36 hours of
dystocia and there after prognosis is poor. Looking
to the subsequent fertility and milk production, the
caesarean operation is promptly indicated in early
diagnosed irreducible torsion or if cervix fails to
dilate even after dilatation attempts. The present
case depicts the successful management of left
side uterine torsion through caesarean section in
a Jafarabadi buffalo.
Acknowledgement
I profusely thanks the trustees of Veterinary Hospital,
Karuna Foundation, Rajkot for the facilities provided.
References
Jeengar, K., Choudhary, V., Maharia, S., Vivek Anand and
Purohit, G.N. (2014). A retrospective study on type and extent
of uterine torsion in buffaloes. Res. J. Vet. Pract. 3: 25-28.
Noakes, D.E., Parkinson, D.J. and England, G.C.W. (2009).
Maternal dystocias. In: Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and
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Phaneendra, M.S.S.V. and Srilatha, B. (2015). Dystocia due
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a - Brand of Intas Animal Health, Ahmedabad
