title: Herniation of the gravid uterus through a mesoduodenal defect and concurrent omental hernia in a cow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe surgical treatment of herniation of the gravid uterus through the mesoduodenum, displacement of the descending duodenum around the gravid uterus, and concurrent herniation of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa in a cow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-year-old, five-month-pregnant Swiss Braunvieh cow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repositioning of the displaced uterus and descending duodenum without transection and anastomosis of the duodenum was performed through a right flank laparotomy. Concurrent displacement of a large portion of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa was not associated with intestinal strangulation and was corrected manually. The defects in the omentum and mesoduodenum were sutured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no postoperative complications, and the cow was healthy at discharge from the clinic 1 week after surgery. Telephone follow-up revealed that the cow had delivered a live calf and was producing a normal amount of milk. The cow was slaughtered 14 months after the surgery because of an udder problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herniation of the gravid uterus through a tear in the mesoduodenum with subsequent displacement of the descending duodenum around the uterus combined with internal omental herniation caused nonspecific clinical signs and no ileus. Exploratory laparotomy in an early stage of pregnancy facilitated reduction of the displaced uterus without transection of the descending duodenum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muggli
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lesser
authors.forename: Ueli
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nuss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia; D009852:Omentum / Q000601:surgery*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery