Primary Repair of Abomasal Fistulae Resulting From Right Paramedian Abomasopexy in Eight Adult Dairy Cattle

Abomasal fistulae resulting from right paramedian abomasopexy in eight adult dairy cattle were treated by primary closure of the abdominal wall after surgical resection of the fistulae. The median elapsed time from the abomasopexy to recognition of fistula formation was 16 days (range, 10 to 90 days). All cows had normal electrolyte values, and five cows had mildly increased base excess values (range = 4.0 to 7.8 mEq/L). Surgery was performed with the cows in dorsal recumbency using general anesthesia. The fistulated tissue was resected and the abomasum and body wall were closed primarily. One or two layers of appositional sutures using #2 or #3 polyglactin 910 were used to close the body wall. Mean surgical time was 2.2 hours (range, 1.8 to 2.9 hours). Two cows were lost to follow-up. Five of the remaining six cows returned to production (range, 5 to 30 months). Primary closure of the abdominal wall should be considered in the surgical repair of abomasal fistulae in cows that do not have diffuse peritonitis.