The pedicles of the ovaries are released, and at once return to the peritoneal cavity, while the operator, in withdrawing his hand, brings with it the knife and the ovaries themselves. The lips of the operative incision come together again spontaneously as the vagina contracts.
This operation is followed by slight colic, which, however, need not cause alarm.
Fig. 321.—Castration of the cow. Second phase.
Complications: Hæmorrhage.—If the incision is unskilfully performed, it may in exceptional cases result in injury of the terminal portion of the aorta or the iliac arteries. The blood then streams past the operator’s hand, and the animal dies of internal hæmorrhage in a few minutes; nothing can be done.
If there is undue haste in manipulating the écraseur, the pedicle of the ovary is cut rather than crushed, the vessels close imperfectly, and grave hæmorrhage may occur.
In cases where hæmorrhage is slight the peritoneal clot is readily reabsorbed; but should the animal happen to be tuberculous or its vessels in any other way diseased, free hæmorrhage may occur and may eventually be followed by fatal peritonitis. Hernia of the intestine through the vagina is a rare complication nowadays, on account of the small dimensions of the perforations. In former times, when larger incisions were made, it occurred rather frequently.
Abscess Formation.—Suppuration of the wound and peritonitis or vaginitis are caused solely by the neglect of antiseptic precautions.
Pelvic peritonitis following an operation is indicated, like ordinary acute peritonitis, by loss of appetite, peritonism, colic, etc.
Even where peritonitis is avoided a local abscess often forms in the vaginal wall owing to infection of the operation wound. The symptoms are delayed for several days, sometimes for a fortnight after operation, and consist in straining efforts, moderate peritonism, diminution in appetite, etc. Vaginal or rectal examination reveals the character and extent of the disease. The abscess should be punctured through the vagina.