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A case of prepubic tendon rupture in a Romanov ewe in which four live lambs were removed by cesarean section is presented. A three-year-old ewe, on the 142±3 days of the second gestation was brought to the Siirt University Animal Health Application and Research Center with a sudden downward expansion of the abdomen during the last one day. When ewe was examined reluctance to locomotion, mild depression, tachycardia, tachypnea and abdominal peculiar enlargement on the left side more than right side were noticed. Because of this case was detected early the general condition was not so bad and clinical examination revealed that swelling was non-painful and non-edematous. Ultrasonography was performed to detect viability of the fetuses, and to eliminate possibility of hernia of the abdominal muscles. Based on anamnesis, abdominal palpation, and clinical examination, this case was diagnosed with prepubic tendon rupture. The prognosis of saving the lives of ewe and fetuses depends on successfully handling all aspects of the case in the last period of pregnancy. Although it is not possible to repair the abdominal integrity surgically in cases of prepubic tendon rupture in the ewe, a planned cesarean operation is indicated to increase the survival rates of both ewe and lambs.

Objective To determine the location of the deep and superficial caudal epigastric arteries in relation to 3 midline positions and the relationship between the location of these arteries, body circumference, and body condition score. Study design Descriptive anatomical study. Sample population Nine horses, aged 1-28 years (mean 10.61 ± 8.89 SD). Methods Body condition score and body circumference were measured prior to euthanasia. Angiographic studies of the deep and superficial caudal epigastric arteries were performed on resected abdominal walls. The distances between the deep and the superficial caudal epigastric arteries and 3 midline positions were measured. Correlations among these distances, body circumference, and body condition score were analyzed. Results The location of the deep caudal epigastric artery correlated with body circumference and body condition score at the umbilicus (r = 0.53 and 0.68, respectively), midpoint landmark (r = 0.79 and 0.83, respectively), and prepubic tendon attachment (r = 0.69 and 0.78, respectively). The course of this artery could be estimated by multiplying body circumference by 0.04 ± 0.02 at the umbilicus, 0.07 ± 0.01 at the midpoint landmark, and 0.03 ± 0.015 at the prepubic tendon attachment. The course of the superficial caudal epigastric artery did not correlate with anatomic landmarks. Conclusion The course of the deep caudal epigastric artery could be estimated at 3 midline landmarks on the basis of body circumference and body condition score in equine cadavers. Clinical significance Predicting the course of the caudal epigastric arteries in the equine abdomen based on correlation among location, body circumference, and body condition score may prevent iatrogenic damage during creation of laparoscopic portals.

Background: The prepubic tendon is the tendon of insertion of abdominal in addition to the gracilis and the pectineus muscles attachment site. Rupture of the prepubic tendon was described in several animal species. However, surgical intervention was not recommended due to cost prohibition and the possibility of unsuccessful result. Methods and findings: Three pregnant does with prepubic tendon rupture were diagnosed in Shami breed goats during the last month of pregnancy. Clinical examination revealed normal parameters in the three does with no signs of herniation in the abdominal wall. The does were treated surgically and cesarean sections (CS) were performed to deliver the kids because of the distension of the abdomen and the difficulty to have them go through normal delivery process. Three fetuses in one doe and two in each of the other two were successfully pulled alive from apparently normal uteri. Conclusion: All does survived the operations and recovered uneventfully but the prepubic tendon was not fixed. All goats were dismissed from the hospital 2- 3 days post-surgery. Unfortunately, no follow up was possible because the owners took them home and did not report back to the clinical center. Preventing stress, trauma and selecting for ewes that less probably produce quadruplets will decrease the chance of the prepubic tendon rupture.

Abnormal conditions associated with parturition do not directly prevent delivery but may indirectly cause concern and become evident prior to labour (3, 8). The prepubic tendon is the tendon sheet attached to the abdominal muscles that supports the entire abdominal contents, including the uterus (10). Rupture of the prepubic tendon mostly occurs with a higher incidence in older drafttype (5, 7, 8, 14) (average age 11 years) and idle (14) mares that sustain trauma and/or carry more weight in the abdomen (5–8, 11, 14), i. e. hydrallantois, foetal giant or twins. Due to the many structures that insert on the prepubic tendon, all support of the ventral and lateral abdominal wall (5) and ventral support for the abdominal organs (7) are lost when it ruptures. Some mares develop obvious lordosis (11) wherein the pelvis is tipped cranially (4) to stabilize the pelvis and spinal muscles, which is normally achieved by the abdominal muscles (6). Almost all mares present with marked ventral oedema that is more pronounced than the oedema normally observed in mares close to term (5, 13, 14). The oedema is thought to be caused by compression of the epigastric and caudal superficial epigastric veins, which drain the ventral abdomen. However, it may also be due to the muscle damage in the area surrounding a rupture (8), as the prepubic tendon rupture may easily lead to rupture and haemorrhage of the adjacent musculature (11). Support for the udder is also lost, and it becomes swollen and congested (4). All reported cases involve pregnant mares (5, 7, 9) close to foaling (8). Since the abdominal musculature and contractions will not be competent to aid in foetal expulsion and dystocia is likely to occur (8, 13, 14), parturition should be induced and assisted (4, 8, 9, 13). The prognosis for survival of either foetus or dam is poor and death is the normal outcome (1, 6, 7, 13). The present case report appears to be the first case, which describes rupture of the prepubic tendon in a congenitally lordotic pregnant mare and its diagnosis using vaginal palpation.

Vandeplassche noted that even if uterine instability is accepted as a cause of torsions up to 180°, it does not explain those torsions of 360° or more. I concur with this statement and would argue that although uterine instability and all the other predisposing factors may be involved in the development of uterine torsion, there must be some active force which is present in the first stage of labor. It has been proposed that strong fetal movements during parturition may increase the chances of a uterine torsion occurring. First stage labor is associated with particularly vigorous fetal movements presumably invoked by the myometrial contractions and subsequent changes in intra-uterine pressure and fetal blood flow. I believe that it is not so much the violence of the fetal movements as it is the size of the fetus involved. Our data strongly suggests that fetal size is a major factor in the development of uterine torsion. In the normal parturient process the fetus is able to rotate and flex its limbs within the confines of the uterine walls. It is possible that in cases with oversized fetuses the fetal limbs actually catch on the uterine wall and the continued vigorous movements rotate the entire uterus. Although the incidence ofleft side torsions correlates well with the expected incidence of right horn pregnancies, it is interesting to postulate that the preponderance of left side torsions may actually be due the limbs of a large fetus bracing against the rumen wall and "walking'' the uterus down to the left. Another potential traction point is the strong prepubic tendon directly below the uterus. An alternate explanation is that right side torsions may often self-correct. However, if a left side torsion develops, the uterus may become trapped by the rumen. Uterine torsion is ultimately of fetal origin, and there is no evidence to suggest that an affected animal is predisposed to the condition in subsequent pregnancies., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 1998

A case of vesicocutaneous fistula formation following traumatic rupture of the prepubic tendon is described. The radiographic diagnosis and treatment are presented.

Extract Roberts (1956) refers to this condition as rupture of the prepubic tendon. While the condition he describes is nearly identical with that reported here, there was, in the present case, rupture of individual muscle layers cranial to the prepubic tendon. Another inconsistency is that this was a relatively light hack whereas Roberts describes the condition as occurring most commonly in heavier draught mares.