title: Aspects of bovine caesarean section associated with calf mortality, dam survival and subsequent fertility.
abstract: Bovine caesarean section is a common surgery performed by cattle practitioners yet evidence for justifying many aspects of the surgical procedure is lacking. Between 2001 and 2007, questionnaires were used to gather information on 103 cases of caesarean section performed in one, predominantly dairy, veterinary practice. The results showed that the 14-day cow survival rate was 80.6%, and of those surviving beyond this period, 55.4% carried another calf to term, 27.7% were culled due to infertility and 16.9% were culled due to other reasons. Variables associated with reduced 14-day dam mortality included exteriorising the uterus during surgery (odds ratio [OR] 0.018, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0019-0.17, P<0.001), dystocia where fetomaternal disproportion was present (OR 0.090, 95% CI 0.097-0.83, P=0.033), a female calf (OR 0.036, 95% CI 0.0019-0.69, P=0.027), no retained fetal membranes at the first post-operative revisit (OR 0.095, 95% CI 0.013-0.69, P=0.020) and removing abdominal blood clots during surgery (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.011-0.93, P=0.043). Using a Utrecht suture pattern on the uterus was associated with reduced culling due to infertility (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.020-0.67, P=0.016). Incision infection was noted in 25.9% of cases where incision status was recorded but this was not associated with the type of local anaesthesia used. Overall calf survival up to the first post-operative visit (24-48 h) was 59.4%, and was associated with shorter duration of surgery, and dystocia due to fetomaternal disproportion. These results offer some evidence-based guidelines to optimise outcomes for this common surgery performed under field conditions.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. nicholas.lyons@lshtm.ac.uk
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Lyons
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Karvountzis
authors: T J D
authors: TJ
authors: Knight-Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D003002:Clonixin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C014557:flunixin; D003002:Clonixin
keywords: Bovine caesarean; Infertility; Subsequent outcome; Survival rate