USE OF SPECIAL DESMOTOMER IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF UPWARD FIXATION OF PATELLA IN BOVINES

Abstract

Upward fixation of patella is a disease observed in large animals and it occurs in bovines in unilateral or bilateral form, affecting male and female, different breeds and usually adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of an special surgical instrument designed for surgical treatment of upward fixation of patella in bovines, compare the results to those obtained applying the usual incision technique for this disease and to evaluate the post-operative period. It was submitted to medial patellar desmotomy, 32 UFP carrier female bovines with unilateral form, divided in four groups with eight animals each (GI, GII, GIII and GIV). After 12 hours of fasting, sedation with 2% xylazine, restraining in lateral recumbency and local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine on medial patellar ligament, the bovines from GI and GII were submitted to desmotomy after 4 cm length skin incision. In animals from groups III and IV, it was proceeded skin incision of 0.5 cm, followed by section gracile and sartorium muscles fasciae and desmotomy with stainless steel instrument developed for this purpose. To visualize the desmotomy with this surgical instrument, it was used, experimentally, the video-surgery. For skin closure it was used 2-0 cotton thread in animals from groups I and II. In postoperative period, bovines from groups I and III received antimicrobial drugs and it was evaluated during 28 days the occurrence of edema, wound dehiscence, abscess formation, granuloma and cicatricial evolution of the surgical wound in the animals from all groups. It was not detected any difference concerned to the use of antimicrobiane drug. Edema, wound dehiscence and abscesses occurred on the bovines from GI and GII and the clinical healing was earlier on the animals from GIII and GIV. All animals healed, but the designed instrument allowed more quick and less invasive interventions, witch leaded to minor postoperative complications.Key words: Cows, desmotomy, locomotion system, surgical material.