Surgical correction of umbilical hernia of a calf by Polypropylene Mesh, in SAQTVH, CVASU: A clinical case study

Abstract

Umbilical hernia is an important congenital defect that is most frequently occurred in calves. This case was planned for the surgical management of umbilical hernia in a five-months-old female indigenous calf that was admitted to Teaching Veterinary Hospital of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University on 17 January 2018. The calf owner complained that there was a swelling at umbilical region (approximately 13 cm in diameter). On palpation, the region was painless, non-inflammatory and reducible. There was no evidence of drainage of pus from the swelling which was confirmation of umbilical hernia differentiated with abscess. This umbilical hernia was reducible with large hernial ring measuring about 9cm in width and intestine was felt without any adhesion of hernial sac. After stabilizing the patient with glucose saline and local anesthesia (ring block) with Lidocaine Hydrochloride 2% (Jasocaine, Jayson Pharmaceuticals Ltd), surgical site was aseptically prepared for surgery. A linear incision was made over the dorsal aspect of the hernial sac and the abdominal content was separated from overlying muscles and fascia. After repositioning abdominal content to abdominal cavity, a non-absorbable polypropylene mesh was placed on hernial ring area. Finally, skin was closed by horizontal mattress suture. A combined dose of antibiotics, penicillin (30,000 IU/kg) and streptomycin (10 mg/kg) and analgesic ketoprofen (33.3mg/kg) therapy was maintained postoperatively for next five days. The horizontal mattress suture was removed from skin after 18 days with complete healing of the incision site. From regular follow up with the owner, a complete recovery with better feeding history was obtained within 2 months. So, polypropylene mesh for large sized umbilical hernia is safe, effective with minimum complication that can be used in veterinary field of Bangladesh.