The complications of wound healing on two laparotomy closure techniques in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats undergoing omentopexy

Abstract

Researchers differ on the complications of wound healing using different laparotomy closure techniques. This study investigated the complications of wound healing when peritoneum was and when it was not incorporated in laparotomy closure in omentopexed WAD goats. Twenty WAD bucks were assigned into four groups. Left-flank-oblique-laparotomy was performed in all the goats. In group A goats, the peritoneum was incorporated in the internal abdominal oblique muscle sutures during laparotomy closure. In group B goats, the peritoneum was not incorporated in the muscle sutures during laparotomy closure. In groups C and D, omentopexy was performed and the laparotomy incision closed as in groups A and B respectively. On post-surgery- day (psd) 14, laparotomy was performed in 4 goats from each group, caudal to the initial left oblique-laparotomy, for examination of the sites for tissue adhesions. Serosanguinous exudation observed in goats in groups A and C stopped on psd 6 while that of groups B and D stopped on psd 8. The severity of behavioural signs of pain in each group was recorded using Numerical Rating Scale. Peritoneum-omentum and muscle-omentum adhesions were observed in 50% of goats in group B. 100% and 25% of goats in group C had peritoneum-omentum and rumen-peritoneum adhesion respectively. In group D, 100% of the goats showed peritoneum-omentum adhesion while 50% exhibited other complicated rumen adhesions. In conclusion, incorporating peritoneum into muscle sutures during laparotomy closure in omentopexed WAD bucks has less complications of wound healing than when the peritoneum is not incorporated in the muscle sutures.

Keywords: Laparotomy closure; wound complication; peritoneum suture; West African Dwarf Goat