Surgical Correction of Atresia ani with Recto-vaginal Fistula of a Calf at SAQTVH, CVASU: A Case Study

Abstract

Atresia ani is a congenital anomaly defined as the failure of the development of anal opening. A 4-month-old female calf was brought to Shahedul Alam Quadary Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH), Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Scinces University (CVASU) with a history of the passage of feces through the vagina. After clinical examination, it was found that there was no anal opening. The signs were straining, tenesmus and abdominal pain due to difficulty of defecation. Based on history and clinical observation the case was diagnosed as Atresia ani with recto-vaginal fistula. Then it was referred to surgery to correct the condition. Surgery was done under local infiltration anaesthesia using 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride and diazepam for sedation. Surgery was performed in two steps: anal reconstruction and closing the rectovaginal fistula. First, a circular skin incision was made at the end of the rectal pouch to create an anus, and then the skin of the anus and the mucous with recto-vaginal fistula membrane of the rectum were brought into apposition by simple interrupted sutures. Second, the recto-vaginal fistula was ligated on both the vulval and anal sides. The recto-vaginal communication was closed and the calf was able to urinate and defecate normally. Surgical intervention is the only technique of choice for the treatment in such a case and it was attempted successfully in this present case. Post-operatively animal was treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic drugs for 5 days.The calf grew to become a normal adult without any complications.