Autologous prosthesis for the surgery of two simultaneous hernias in a calf

The authors propose a rare case of double hernia in a female, red Freisian calf, seventeen months old. Hernia that occurs most frequently in calf is related to hereditary factors or mainly traumatic causes. The clinical examination of the lesion led to detect two similar lesions, round and smooth, not-hot and not-sore, the first localized to the umbilical region, and the second, more caudal and larger, in a paramedian position. Both lesions were palpable in the abdomen through regular continuous and non-communicating solutions. After some basic analysis, the calf received general anaesthesia and underwent standard surgery, but with the application of autologous prosthetic material, seen the location and peculiarity of the lesion. After two months the calf was sound and all her functions restored. Double hernia requires to strengthen the suture with prosthetic material. A flap of the hernial bag wall has been used as prosthetic material, since is strong and well-vascularized, provides excellent tissue compatibility and guarantees that, thanks to constant blood flow, there is always the presence of cellular reaction elements with the formation of a stiff fibrin cloth and a healthy healing tissue. After the surgical procedures, the calf was awakened regularly. At a first check the day after the surgical procedure, the animal regularly resumed eating and drinking. After two months, the patient's follow-up confirmed the complete healing of the lesions, with functional recovery of the herniated organs and the general condition of the subject. The use of an autologous prosthesis comes from a twofold consideration: the great stress that tissues are subjected to an animal with a double hernia, requires the application of a reinforcement that remains stable for at least 15 days in the postoperative. In addition, the autologous prosthesis, made up of well-vascular tissue, has excellent compatibility between tissues. Such features favor the formation of new granulation and fibrin tissues in a short time, thus reducing healing times.