Download - Cesarean Section in Sow
Raksha Technical review 2013; 3(1):29-31
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.