title: Surgical treatment of uterine torsion in a llama (Lama glama).
abstract: A multiparous llama was presented because of failure to proceed into the second stage of labor. Clockwise uterine torsion and a live fetus were identified by rectal and vaginal examinations. A cesarean operation was elected because of the prolonged first stage of labor and lack of cervical dilatation. Anesthesia was induced with a 10% guaifenesin solution administered intravenously via a pressurized pump followed by intubation and maintenance with 2% halothane. A ventral midline surgical approach exposed the uterus and the fetus was removed through a uterotomy. The placenta was manually stripped from the myometrial edges of the incision and the margins were oversewn using a continuous interlocking pattern. The uterus was then closed using a continuous Utrecht pattern and the uterus rotated 180 degrees back to its normal anatomical position. The abdomen was closed in 3 layers. Recovery of the llama was uneventful with the male cria able to nurse 6 hours post-operatively. Placental expulsion occurred approximately 48 hours after fetal removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Althouse
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000662:veterinary*; D004420:Dystocia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006140:Guaifenesin; D010920:Placenta / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D014102:Torsion Abnormality; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D006140:Guaifenesin