Normal laparoscopic anatomy of the bovine abdomen.

Three laparoscopic procedures were performed on each of 6 adult Jersey cows in the first trimester of gestation to describe normal laparoscopic anatomy of the bovine abdomen. Also, a technique for laparoscopy of the cranioventral portion of the abdomen was described. Right paralumbar fossa, left paralumbar fossa, and cranioventral midline laparoscopy were performed 72 hours apart of each cow. Physical examination findings, CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and peritoneal fluid analysis before and 72 hours after the first surgery were used to assess the effects of the procedures on the cows. Exploratory celiotomy was performed 2 weeks after the last laparoscopy. The cows were then reexamined 6 weeks after the last procedure. The t-test for paired data was used for statistical analysis; the level of significance was P < 0.05. Laparoscopy was performed without complication in all cows. Adverse effects of laparoscopy, individually or serially, were not observed. Significant differences were not found between CBC, serum biochemical, and peritoneal fluid variables taken before and 72 hours after surgery.