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Cesarean section in sow

Pramod Kumar, G. N. Purohit and J.S. Mehta

Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics

College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary

and Animal Sciences, Bikaner Rajasthan India

Abstract

Cesarean section in sow if indicative should be done promptly before the sow

become toxic and has friable uterine tissue and vessels. Because the birth canal

is too small for inspection for unborned pigs via palpation, radiography or

ultrasound may be indicated to reveal undelivered piglets. For cesarean section

indications, anesthesia, operative technique and post operative care is

described.

Key words- cesarean, sow, post operative care

The sow is considered a difficult obstetrical patient because although surgery is

many times needed, it is difficult to identify the cause of dystocia even after the

operation (Pearson, 1999). Cesarean section in sow is a rare operation to relieve

from dystocia (Ghosh, 2007). A decision for or against cesarean section must be

based on the condition of sow, the value of sow, onset of labor, type of dystocia,

and the and the potential number of live fetuses remaining (Leman et al. 1986).

Higher percentage of recoveries will occur when the operation is performed

within a 24 hours after the onset of labor (Frank, 1964).

Indications-

The major indications enlisted (Titze, 1977; Renard et al. 1981; Ghosh, 2007)

were vaginal prolapse, fetopelvic disproportion, fetal emphysema, secondary

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uterine inertia and cervical non-dilation. The preparturient prolapse results in

considerable edematous swelling and tissue rupture on handling. Uterine inertia

is another important indication for cesarean section. The other less frequent

indications are maternal immaturity, pelvic deformity, uterine torsion and fetal

deformities like conjoined piglets. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate the

presence of further piglets during delivery either manually or

ultrasonographically. A radiograph must be obtained to assure the presence of

piglets before the operation is performed. Elective hysterotomy has been

increasingly performed on sows to obtain disease free piglets which are then

reared artificially (Amass et al. 1996).

Anesthesia

Because of difficulties in restraint either general anesthesia or deep sedation and

local analgesia is used to perform the operation. When inhalation anesthesia like

halothane or isoflurane are available, sedation with intravenous thiopentone

sodium (150-200mg/kg IV) or methohexitone sodium (Pearson, 1999) followed

by halothane-nitrous oxide oxygen mixture is used. Pre-medication with atropine

(0.04-0.07 mg/kg SC or IV), glycopyrrolate (0.01-0.02 mg/kg SC) or diazepam

(0.55-1.1 mg/kg IM) can be done. Some breeds like Landrace are known to be

sensitive to halothane (Pearson, 1999) and hence care should be exercised

while dealing with these breeds. Some of the other suggested parentral

anesthetics for the sow include a combination of intramuscular azaperone (2

mg/kg) and intravenous metomidate (2 mg/kg) with local infiltration anesthesia or

alternatively, ketamine hydrochloride (15-20 mg/kg) alone or with azaperone or

diazepam (0.55-1.1 mg/kg) (Pearson, 1999). Propofol (5 mg/kg IV) or telazol (4.4

mg/kg IM) and xylazine (2.2 mg/kg IM) are other anaesthetic combinations.

However, all these combinations are known to result in a high incidence of post-

operative hind limb paralysis (Renard et al., 1981) and hence should be used

carefully.

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Operative technique-

The operation is performed through a vertical sub-lumbar or ventral flank incision

on either side with the sow resting in lateral recumbency (Turner and Mcllwraith,

1989). The gravid horn should be exteriorized for incision outside the peritoneal

cavity in order to minimize peritoneal contamination. The incision is made as

close to the uterine body as possible. The piglets at the ovarian poles of the

cornua are squeezed down the horn and grasped through the incision. The sow’s

uterus must be carefully sutured as too much force may tear the uterus. The

operative site is closed routinely by separately suturing the peritoneum, muscles

and skin.

Post operative care

The post operative care depends on the general condition of the sow. In general

administration of antibiotics and analgesics should be done for 3-5 days and

oxytocin should be given post-operatively to hasten the uterine involution.

Refrences-

Amass SF, Struve R, Clark LK and Wu CC (1996). Cesarean section: A surgical

method to drive piglets free of strptococcus suis. Swine Health and Production. 4:

196-199.

Ghosh SK (2007). Cesarean section in a crossbred pig. Indian J Anim Reprod

28: 96-97.

Leman AD, Straw B, Glock RD, Mengeling WL, Penny RHC and Scholl E (1986).

Disease of Swine, 6th Edn. Lowa University Press, ames, lowa, Usa.pp.866-873.

Pearson H (1999). The cesarean operation. In:Arthur GH, Noakes DE, Pearson

H, Parkinson J eds Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics 7th ed Philadelphia

WB Saunders co. p311-31.

Renard A, St Pierre H, Lamothe P and Coyture Y (1981). Hysterectomy in the

sow: indication and post operative complications. Med Vet Quebec 10: 6-11.

Titze K (1977). Obstetrics in pigs with special consideration of cesarean section.

Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 84(4):135-8.

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Turner AS and McIlwraith CW (1989). Techniques in Large Animal Surgery. 2nd

ed. p. 254, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Fig 1 The sow is placed in right lateral recumbency and the ventral flank area is prepared for surgery.

Fig 2 The skin incision is given and the subcutaneous facia is separated.

Fig 3 The gravid uterine horns of the sow are taken out of the abdomen and packed with sterile drapes.

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Fig 4 The uterine horn of a sow being excised closer to the body during cesarean section.

Fig 5. A piglet being removed after excising the uterine horn of a sow during cesarean section.

Fig 6. The muscle layer of a sow being sutured during cesarean section.