214 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



in vain and may even terminate in death of the parent. Ka- 

 tional treatment is required to prevent this. 



On the whole, the result of the operation is not very 

 favorable in bovine practice, and is therefore rarely performed ; 

 but in hydrallantois good results are obtained provided proper 

 after-treatment is practiced. The latter, therefore, is of great 

 importance. 



3.— Laparotomy. 



Definition. — Laparotomy is an operation in which the ab- 

 dominal cavity is opened by incising the flank. In obstetrics 

 it is usually performed as a part or first step of other oper- 

 ations. 



Indications. — Laparotomy is indicated in torsio uteri after 

 all other attempts to correct the abnormal position have failed. 

 It may also be indicated in extra-uterine gravidity to remove the 

 foetus, although this occurs rarely in obstetrical practice. It 

 constitutes the first step of the Cesarean section (sectio ccesan a). 

 At times it is performed to explore the cavity, when we suspect 

 peritoneal abscesses as the result of a perimetritis. The cow 

 being exposed to very little danger, justifies laparotomy as a 

 diagnostic operation. 



Procedure.— It is preferable to operate in the standing 

 posture. In this way the danger of a possible eventration is 

 much less ; palpation also is much easier. The field of opera- 

 tion is the right flank or the right lower abdominal region. 

 That location depends to a great extent on the purpose lapar- 

 otomy has in view. Thus, in torsio uteri, an incision made too 

 high is extremely uncomfortable to the obstetrician who has 

 to rotate the uterus, although there is less danger of an even- 

 tration. Detorsion of the uterus is much easier when wo 

 operate in the right lower abdomimal region, but the chances 

 for complications are greater. To avoid these difficulties the 

 lower portion of the right flank should be selected as the field 

 of operation. The same spot may be chosen to perform the 

 Cesarean section. The explorative operation is made on the right 

 upper flank- 



