This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of a newborn calf presenting with extended swelling within its right flank, in addition to its therapeutic planning. Ultrasonograms of the bilateral flanks identified thinning of the external and internal oblique abdominal muscles in whole areas of the abdominal walls. A right lateral abdominal hernia associated with thin abdominal muscular structures was diagnosed ultrasonographically. The right flank abdominal hernia was successfully reconstructed through a modified Mayo mattress suture. This allowed the overlapping of the two very thin structures of the abdominal walls, resulting in the creation of a thicker structure of the right lateral abdominal walls. Reconstruction of the abdominal walls using this method could prevent re-protrusion of the viscera during calf growth.
Keywords: Mayo mattress suture; calf; lateral abdominal hernia; thin abdominal muscle; ultrasonography.