Surgical Correction of Anal Atresia in a 4-Day-Old Brown Swiss Calf

A 4-day-old Brown Swiss calf was presented to a veterinary clinic in Huancayo, Peru, with congenital anal atresia. The condition was characterized by an absence of defecation, progressive abdominal distension, and a blind rectal pouch confirmed radiographically. Clinical examination revealed no anal opening, moderate tympany, and normal neurological function. Surgical correction was conducted under pre-anesthetic sedation using xylazine (0.2 mg/kg IM) and sacrococcygeal epidural anesthesia with lidocaine (0.5 mL/kg). A 12-cm vertical incision in the intertubercular ischiatic region exposed the distended rectal pouch, allowing for an end-to-cutaneous anastomosis with polyglactin 910 (Vicryl® 2-0). Subsequently, a 2-3 cm distal rectal incision was created to form a neoanus. The mucosal edges were sutured to the skin margins with interrupted simple stitches (Vicryl® 3-0), a technique aimed at preventing stenosis and maintaining a neoanal diameter of approximately 1.5-2 cm. Postoperative management included prophylactic penicillin. Within three hours of surgery, the calf passed impacted meconium, indicating the functional patency of the neoanus. Although the prognosis was favorable, the patient was closely monitored for five days to detect any signs of stricture or infection. This case illustrated the effectiveness of early surgical intervention in reestablishing gastrointestinal continuity in congenital anal atresia.