Surgical interventions for the correction of a half-butterfly-wing-like notomelia (atypical) in a crossbred bovine calf

Abstract

A 17-day-old crossbred male bovine calf was presented with an additional and atypical limb-like structure on the dorsal thorax, just caudal to the hump.. Physical examination indicated that the ectopic appendage was similar to a supernumerary limb but much shorter in size and incom¬plete in structural details, with the characteristic appearance of a half-butterfly wing. This acces¬sory structure was attached to the middle of the back with muscles, fibrous tissues, and carti¬lage in a flexible condition resembling a limb-bud. It was likely to be composed of soft internal bones surrounded by layers of tissues and outer skin. Clinically, the case was diagnosed as an atypical notomelia, and surgical excision of the aberrant structure was done to handle the case. Postoperatively, the calf was treated with supportive medications, including proper management, and subsequently recovered within 2 weeks after surgery.