GASTROTOMY. 



739 



Speaking generally, however, puncture of the rumen in cattle and 

 sheep is seldom followed by any complication. 



GASTROTOMY. 



Gastrotomy is performed for the relief of impaction of the rumen 

 and to remove foreign bodies, such as linen, nails, bits of leather, etc., 

 which have been swallowed. 



A vertical or slightly oblique incision is made in the left flank, 



Fig. 302. — Gastrotomy. Pa, Skin ; Im, 2m, muscular layers ; Fe, peritoneum ; 

 R, rumen, showing line of incision. 



extending from the fourth transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae 

 towards the last rib. The operation comprises the following stages : — 



First stage. Incision through the skin for a dis- 

 tance of from 6 to 10 inches, according to the size of 

 the animal. 



Second stage. Incision through the muscles and 

 peritoneum and torsion of any small muscular arte- 

 rioles, which may be divided. 



Third stage. Fixation and immobilisation of the 

 rumen with from four to six sutures (Fig. 303). 



Fourth stage. Vertical incision into the rumen ; 

 manual examination of the cavity and its contents. 



Formerly the operation was confined to these 

 stages. In such cases localised adhesive peritonitis 

 follows, causing the rumen to adhere to the internal 

 surface of the abdominal wall, and the fistula con- 

 tinues in existence for months before complete cicatrisation. It is 

 better, therefore, to insert sutures in the rumen, in order to secure 

 more rapid and complete closure. 



Fifth stage. Suture of the rumen with carbolised silk. The lips 



8b 2 



Fig. 303. 



