Hernioplasty with polypropylene implant after an abdominal trauma of a pregnant cat

Abstract

The incidence of accidents with cats and its consequences on the health of these animals have been reported frequently in the literature. The abdominal hernia is an example of a condition developed as a result of trauma. Abdominal hernia is a defect of the inner wall of the abdomen that can allow part of the abdominal contents to protrude. In this case report, a pregnant cat has developed an abdominal hernia after disappearing for a week. The animal was clinically well, but the abdominal volume was considerable. Surgical intervention was necessary as soon as possible, because it was an irreducible hernia. A significant amount of devitalized muscle tissue and fragile tissue were observed. Because of the abdominal necrosis, there was no possibility to perform conventional suturing technique in the abdominal wall to correct the hernia. It was necessary to apply a polypropylene mesh implant, which is anchored by means of simple interrupted stitches. Besides hernioplasty, a lumpectomy and ovariohysterectomy were performed due to the presence of a suppurative inflammation of the mammary glands and fetal maceration in the uterus. The review of the patient, after 10 days, revealed no signs of infection of the surgical wound and the implant remained stable. The patient continued feeding and drinking water normally. The goal of this study is to describe the surgical technique of hernia repair using polypropylene implant in a cat that has lost approximately 50% of the abdominal muscle tissue caused by an abdominal trauma.