Name
Successful Removal of Metal Foreign Body via Pre-Femoral Approach Enterotomy in Green Sea Turtle.
Speakers
Description
A juvenile Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) ingested a metal fishing hook and was rescued by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources of Thailand (DMCR). Radiographs showed two fishing hooks, one lodged in the esophagus and another in the stomach. The hook in the esophagus was removed by DMCR veterinary staff. A follow-up radiograph, taken five days later, revealed that the second hook had migrated into the small intestine.
Surgical intervention was planned seven days after the initial hook removal. Pre-operative blood tests and radiographs were performed. The turtle was premedicated with intramuscular Butorphanol, and anesthesia was induced with a combination of Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine, maintained with isoflurane.
The surgery began with a left pre-femoral approach to access the coelomic cavity. The small intestine was carefully exteriorized, and the foreign body was located and removed. Intestinal repair was performed using absorbable monofilament sutures in both a simple continuous and horizontal mattress pattern. The abdominal muscles were closed with a simple continuous pattern, and the skin was sutured with non-absorbable material in an interrupted horizontal mattress technique. An esophagostomy was performed to assist with feeding.
Post-operative care included antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and analgesics. The turtle recovered well, and forced feeding was initiated three days after surgery. Two months later, the DMCR planned to reintroduce the turtle to the wild. This case demonstrates the successful use of pre-femoral enterotomy for foreign body removal in a Green Turtle.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)