International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 2024; 9(3): 01-03

ISSN: 2456-2912
VET 2024; 9(3): 01-03
© 2024 VET
www.veterinarypaper.com
Successful management of pre cervical uterine torsion
Received: 02-02-2023 in a buffalo
Accepted: 06-03-2024

AV Varshini
Department of Animal Reproduction,
AV Varshini, CK Lakde, DS Raghuwanshi, AP Gawande, MS Patil, GA
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur Fiske and MS Bawaskar
Veterinary College, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Abstract
India When it comes to bovine dystocia, uteruine torsion is one of the most complicated cases. A crossbreed
CK Lakde buffalo of 6-year-old in its 4th parity at a completed gestation was presented at Teaching Veterinary
Department of Animal Reproduction, Clinical Complex, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur with a history of labor straining, restlessness,
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur kicking at the belly region, anorexia in the last 2 days. However, there were no indications of progression
Veterinary College, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
of calving progress. On Per rectal and vaginal examination, it was revealed to be post-cervical right-side
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, uterine torsion. Detorsion was not done using Schaffer’s plank method may be due to a higher degree of
India torsion (>180◦). As a surgical emergency, the Cesarean section was performed in an aseptic manner.
Dead emphysematous fetus along with the placenta were removed manually. Fluid therapy, antibiotics,
DS Raghuwanshi
Department of Animal Reproduction, anti-inflammatory injections and intrauterine preparations were administered postoperatively for 5 days.
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur The dam was recovered within 10 days uneventfully.
Veterinary College, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
Keywords: Buffalo, dystocia, uterine torsion, schaffer’s plank method, cesarean section
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
India
Introduction
AP Gawande
Department of Animal Reproduction, The rotation of the gravid uterus along its longitudinal axis is called Uterine torsion (Purohit et
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur al., 2011) [10] which may further cause twisting of the birth canal. It is one of the most common
Veterinary College, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
causes of dystocia followed by uterine inertia and incomplete cervical dilatation, observed in
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, the last month of gestation during the late first stage or early second stage of gestation. Uterine
India torsion is considered to be a more frequent maternal cause of dystocia in buffaloes than cattle
MS Patil which leads to the narrowing of the birth canal. Its incidence was 29.5% to 30.6% in buffaloes
Department of Animal Reproduction, according to Purohit et al., 2011 [10]. Choice of the treatment depends on the severity of the
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur
Veterinary College, Maharashtra torsion, the condition of the dam and the skill of the veterinarian doctor. If the condition of the
Animal and Fishery Sciences dam is good, correction methods like per-vaginal fetal rotation, rolling of the dam could be
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
India
followed.

GA Fiske Case History and Clinical signs

Department of Animal Reproduction,
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur A case of buffalo of 6 years old had previously calved thrice showing a history of labor
Veterinary College, Maharashtra straining, restlessness, kicking at the belly region, and anorexia since 3 days. But she didn’t
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
show any signs related to the progression of calving. She had a normal temperature with pink
India CMM, increased respiration, and pulse rate. On per rectal and vaginal examination, it was
unable to palpate the fetus and the hand was rotated towards the right side. Vulva of the dam
MS Bawaskar
Department of Animal Reproduction, was twisted to the right side. Hence, it was diagnosed as post-cervical right-side uterine
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur torsion.
Veterinary College, Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Correction and Management
India It was decided to relieve the torsion firstly by non-surgical management i.e. Schaffer’s plank
Corresponding Author: method. The principle of this method is to keep the fetus fixed by fixing the uterus with the
AV Varshini plank and rotate the dam to the same degree and direction to which the uterus has rotated.
Department of Animal Reproduction,
Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur
Buffalo was restrained in right lateral recumbency. A wooden plank of length (1 m) and width
Veterinary College, Maharashtra (15 cm) was kept in an inclined manner on the abdomen of the animal, by this the fetus was
Animal and Fishery Sciences immobilized. The animal was rotated to the right side as three people kept the pressure on the
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
India edge of the plank by standing on it.
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International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry https://www.veterinarypaper.com

The position of the uterus was checked after every rolling by

PVE. We rolled the animal many times. However, detorsion
of the uterus was not done may be due to more degree of
torsion (>180◦) or torsion for prolonged period.
As a surgical emergency, Cesarean section was performed
aseptically. Laparotomy was performed at the lower oblique
left flank (Purohit, 2011) [10]. The space between the uterus
and laparotomy wound was packed and then incision was
given. Foul-smelling gases with blood-tinged allantoic and
amniotic fluids were expelled out. The dead emphysematous
fetus was removed out manually. Uterine detorsion was
Fig 2: Para oblique incision
performed through the laparotomy wound. Successively the
muscle layers and the skin were closed routinely in an aseptic
manner. Intrauterine administration of nitrofurazone and urea
bolus was done. Post-operative therapy was done with Fluid
therapy, Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory, and Analgesic
injections for one week and also advised Khurak powder
(mineral mixture) – 30 g BID daily. The dam was recovered
uneventfully within ten days. Skin sutures were removed after
2 weeks. Surgical incision was completely healed and
physiological status of the animal was normal.

Fig 3: Opening of uterus

Fig 1: Case presentation

Fig 4: Dead emphysematous fetus

Fig 2: Schaffer’s plank method (modified rolling method)

Fig 5: Closing of the uterus by double row of Cushing’s and

Lembert’s sutures

Fig 3: Schaffer’s plank method (modified rolling method)

Cesarean section

Fig 6: Closing of the peritoneum and muscles by continuous

interlocking sutures
Fig 1: Local infiltration of Inj.2% lignocaine
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International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry https://www.veterinarypaper.com

3. Ghuman SPS. Uterine torsion in bovines: A review.

Indian J Anim. Sci. 2010;80:289-305.
4. Hafez ESE. Reproduction in Farm Animals. 9th Ed. Lea
& Febiger, Philadelphia, London; c2000.
5. Honparkhe M, Ghuman SPS, Ajeet Kumar, Sood NK,
Gupta K, Ahuja CS. Cervical massage with sodium
carboxy methyl cellulose for achieving complete cervical
dilatation in successfully detorted uterine torsion-affected
buffaloes. Indian J Anim. Sci. 2009;79:26-29.
6. Kraft W, Dürr U. Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics in
Veterinary Medicine. Aufl. Schattauer, Stuttgart, New
Fig 7: Skin was closed by simple interrupted sutures
York, USA. Buffalo Bulletin (December 2014)
2005;33(4):375.
7. Kumar A, Ghuman SPS, Ahuja CS, Honparkhe M. Effect
of oral fluid therapy on endocrine and biochemical status
of dystocia-affected buffalo Indian Vet. J. 2009;86:1021-
1023.
8. Noakes DE, Parkinson DJ, England GCW. Maternal
dystocias. In Noakes D E (ed.) Arthur’s Veterinary
Reproduction and Obstetrics. Saunders Harcourt, India;
c2001.
9. Prabhakar S, Dhaliwal GS, Sharma RD, Prakash S,
Nanda AS. Treatment of uterine torsion in buffaloes-
Fig 8: Surgical incision line was sealed modification of Schaffers method Indian J Anim. Reprod.
1996;17:33-34.
Discussion 10. Purohit GN, Barolia Y, Shekhar C, Kumar P. Diagnosis
Uterine torsion is one of the most common condition leading and correction of uterine torsion in cattle and buffaloes.
to dystocia in farm animals especially in buffaloes. Raksha Tech. Rev. 2011;2:11-17.
Significant uterine torsions are >180°. More rolls were 11. Roberts SJ. Diagnosis and treatment of dystocia. In
required as the torsion was increased and it was less Roberts S.J. (ed.) Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital
successful to roll the buffalo and deliver a foetus. A Diseases. Indian edition CBS Publishers, New Delhi;
Caesarean section must be done if the torsion is still present c2002, p. 274-299.
after three to five attempts. The maternal recovery rates
should remain high unless severe toxemia or necrosis of the
uterus has developed. It is challenging to do abdominal
surgery or uterus detorsion when the fetus is deceased and
emphysematous. The degree of rupture of fetal membrane and
bloody uterine discharge was inversely correlated with the
severity of torsion. If no severe toxemia or uterine necrosis
has developed, the rates of maternal recovery should remain
high in buffaloes.
Diagnosis and correction of uterine torsion provide a good
prognosis for both. The viability of the fetus depends on the
correction technique and the failure of the cervix to dilate
fully. It also depends on duration rather than the severity of
the torsion. Delay in diagnosis results in the delivery of a dead
fetus by hypoxia due to placental separation even in the
presence of unruptured membranes. The severity of torsion
does not directly affect the survival of the fetus, but the
amount of uterine vascularity is also a factor. We have
observed the cyanotic uterus in this case.

Conclusion
Finally, it was concluded that uterine torsion has to be
diagnosed and corrected early to save the life of the fetus and
avoid further complications to the fertility of the dam.

References
1. Ahmad, N. Reproduction in the Buffalo. In Noakes, D.E.,
T.J. Parkinson and G.C.W. England. (ed.) Arthur’s
Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. W.B. Saunders
Company, Philadelphia, USA; c2001. p. 789-799.
2. Brar PS, Saigal RP, Nanda AS, Sharma RD. Role of a
broad ligament in the causation of uterine torsion in dairy
buffaloes. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 2008a;78:940-942.
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