Rumenotomy

Abstract

If performed correctly, the rumenotomy procedure can be a safe and effective way to retrieve ingested foreign bodies and address other problems of the ruminant forestomachs. In the author's practice, rumen surgery has been associated with few postoperative complications. Morbidity and mortality in cases that have had a previous rumenotomy have mostly been associated with complications related to the original presurgical condition or from causes unrelated to the rumen surgery.

Indications for and factors relating to outcome after rumenotomy or rumenostomy in cattle: 95 cases (1999–2011)

“…2,8 For the 42 cattle that underwent rumenostomy, all procedures were performed by means of the rumen skin suturing method. In cattle that underwent rumenotomy, 4 techniques were used, including rumen skin suturing fixation (n = 49 [93%]), rumen board rumenotomy (1), stay suture rumenotomy (2), or rumen skin clamp fixation (1).…”

“…1,2,8,13 The primary clinical signs following rumenotomy were swelling, seroma, and subcutaneous emphysema at the incision site. The most common complications were associated with the skin incision and likely were associated with contamination encountered during this type of contaminated to dirty surgical procedure.…”

“…8 Abdominal contamination with rumen contents will likely lead to development of peritonitis. 8 Abdominal contamination with rumen contents will likely lead to development of peritonitis.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Rumenostomy involves creation of a temporary (small opening allowed to heal closed over time) or permanent (insertion of a cannula to maintain opening) stoma between the rumen and the skin of the bovid. Indications for rumenotomy include traumatic reticuloperitonitis, esophageal obstruction, foreign body ingestion, and bloat.…”

“…Indications for rumenotomy include traumatic reticuloperitonitis, esophageal obstruction, foreign body ingestion, and bloat. 8,14,15 Unlike temporary rumenostomies, placement of a permanent rumen cannula is performed on healthy bovids to obtain rumen fluid for transfaunation or for nutritional re-search purposes. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Rumenostomy involves creation of a temporary (small opening allowed to heal closed over time) or permanent (insertion of a cannula to maintain opening) stoma between the rumen and the skin of the bovid.…”