Outcomes of 584 cattle caesarean sections performed in a UK first opinion practice.

Background: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 584 cattle caesarean sections (C-sections) performed at a first opinion practice in Southwest England between 2015 and 2021.

Methods: Outcomes were recorded contemporaneously, and procedures were followed up after 14 days.

Results: Thirty-one dams died within 14 days of undergoing a C-section (94.7% survival rate). Dam parity and purpose did not significantly impact mortality. Dams were at 2.7 times greater odds of dying within 14 days if they delivered a stillborn calf (p < 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20‒6.13), and at 2.9 times greater odds of dying within 14 days if they were recumbent for some, or all, of the C-section (p < 0.05, 95% CI = 1.02‒8.2). Among the 428 procedures where calf outcomes were recorded, 32.9% (n = 141) were stillborn, reflecting previous studies reporting perinatal mortality. Uterine torsion was anecdotally listed as the reason for operating in 34 cases, and 58.1% (n = 18) of these C-sections resulted in a dead calf.

Limitations: Despite the large number of cases studied, all C-sections were carried out by a single veterinary practice. Individual operator(s) and farms were not recorded and could be undetected confounding variables.

Conclusion: This study's results provide much needed relevant benchmarking for completing in-house practice audit cycles, ensuring improved clinical governance and outcomes.