Two surgical methods were compared for rumen fistulation and cannulation in 8 buffaloes. A permanent fistula was created in left paralumbar by two-stage surgery. In 4 animals, the muscles were incised along the skin edges in circular fashion and removed and in another 4 animals, the muscles were separated along the muscle fibre (grid). Suturing muscles with skin and rumen wall with muscles prevented postoperative complications. The cannula remained functional for long periods in grid technique.