Case 1 - Jackson

Traumatic abdominal hernia repair – DSH, 7y, male

Fig. 1

After being missing for five days, Jackson returned home with a noticeable lump on his abdomen. His owner observed that he was sleeping more than usual and appeared slightly lethargic. On examination, Jackson had pale pink mucous membranes and a large, pendulous abdomen.

Lateral X-rays confirmed the presence of a significant abdominal hernia. Upon clipping the area, the abdominal skin appeared extensively bruised (See Fig.1 and 2). A midline celiotomy revealed severely swollen and bruised abdominal fat, with the abdominal musculature absent from 2 cm caudal to the umbilicus. The musculature was found retracted on both sides of the abdomen, and the prepubic abdominal tendon was torn and retracted cranially.

To repair the damage, the abdominal musculature was mobilized caudally and reattached to the cranial edge of the pubic periosteum using 3.5-metric polypropylene. The abdominal linea alba and both inguinal rings were closed with 3-metric polydioxanone, and a Jackson-Pratt drain was placed to manage post-operative fluid.

Jackson remained in the hospital for two additional days and made an excellent recovery.

Fig. 2