Comparison of primary incisional umbilical hernia closure in calves and buffalo calves with and without assistance for prosthetic mesh

Abstract

Calves and buffalo calves are commonly presented to veterinary clinics with umbilical hernias. The purpose of this research was to compare two herniorrhaphy patterns for the repair of reducible umbilical hernias in calves and buffalo calves. Twenty-eight animals (16 calves, 12 buffalo calves) with reducible congenital umbilical hernia were included in this study. The size of hernial ring ranged from 6-15 cm. Out of the 28 hernias, 10 were treated by primary closure herniorrhaphy and 18 were treated by on-lay technique for fixation of polypropylene mesh that was placed overlaying the defect (opening) made by the hernia. The mesh is fixed to the fascia and hernial ring using PDS suture material. After 6 months of follow-up, hernia complications in primary closure were higher (30%) than in mesh-treated animals (5.5%). In Group A, Hernia recurred in three calves and one of them exhibit a prolapsed intestine with strangulation within one-month post-surgery. In calves treated with mesh herniorrhaphy, an outstanding healing rate (94.4%) was found, with minor complications including wound infection, hematoma formation and one calf recurrence. In conclusion, these results suggest that mesh herniorrhaphy is safer and better for correcting umbilical hernia in calves and buffalo calves than primary herniorrhaphy. .