Ectopic pregnancy through a caesarean scar in a ewe

• Published in: New Zealand veterinary journal Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 373 - 375
• Main Authors: Brozos, C, Karagiannis, I, Kiossis, E, Giadinis, ND, Boscos, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.11.2013
• Subjects: abdomen; Animals; caesarean scar; cesarean section; Cesarean Section - adverse effects; Cesarean Section - veterinary; Cicatrix - veterinary; dystocia; Ectopic pregnancy; ewes; extrauterine pregnancy; Female; laparotomy; Pregnancy; pregnancy diagnosis; Pregnancy, Ectopic - pathology; Pregnancy, Ectopic - veterinary; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - pathology; ultrasonography; ultrasound
• ISSN: 1176-0710; 0048-0169; 1176-0710
• DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2013.800443

CASE HISTORY: A routine ultrasonographic examination for pregnancy diagnosis in a 3-year-old ewe revealed a normal embryo located in the uterine cavity and an abnormal mass located in the abdomen. At the time of examination, the ewe was 4.5 months pregnant, but 10 months previously she had undergone a caesarean section due to dystocia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The abnormal mass (12 cm × 8 cm) was located outside the uterine cavity; it was anechoic at the periphery, and in the centre there was an echogenic embryo-like structure. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, which revealed an ectopic pregnancy through the caesarean scar. TREATMENT: The ectopic foetus was excised and the caesarean scar was repaired. The ewe made a complete recovery and the intrauterine pregnancy was completed to full-term, resulting in the birth of a healthy female lamb 35 days after the removal of the ectopic foetus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ectopic pregnancies have previously been described in ewes. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first report of an ectopic pregnancy through a caesarean scar in sheep or any other farm animal species.