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Long‐term outcome of female dogs treated for intramural ectopic ureters with cystoscopic‐guided laser ablation
Author(s) -
Hoey Christopher S. F. K.,
Friend Ed,
Meakin Lee B.,
Chanoit Guillaume P.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.13702
Subject(s) - medicine , neutering , surgery , medical record , ablation , urinary continence , urinary system , urinary incontinence , retrospective cohort study , urology , prostatectomy , cats , prostate , cancer
Objective To report the complications and long‐term outcome of female dogs with intramural ectopic ureter(s) (iEU) undergoing cystoscopic‐guided laser ablation (CLA) and determine the effect of post‐CLA neutering on urinary continence. Study Design Retrospective clinical study. Animals or Sample Population Thirty‐four client‐owned dogs. Methods Medical records of female dogs that had iEU‐CLA were reviewed. A 10‐point continence score was assigned before, immediately after, and at a minimum of 12 months postprocedure via owner telephone contact. Neutering status prior to and postprocedure was recorded. Results Continence scores increased in all dogs after CLA ( p < .0001, mean duration of follow‐up: 63.9 ± 5.7 months) with an increase of the median score from 2 (preprocedure) to 10 (postprocedure). A urethral tear occurred in 2/34 dogs immediately after the procedure, successfully managed conservatively. Mild hematuria was present in 2/34, lasting less than 48 h. Postoperative urinary tract infections were documented in 6/34 dogs. Two dogs died of urinary‐related issues at 1 and 5 months after CLA. Complete and near‐complete urinary continence (scores 9 and 10/10) was achieved in 26/32 dogs including 3 dogs requiring medical (2) or surgical interventions (1). Post‐CLA neutering did not affect continence scores ( p = .44). Conclusion A large proportion of dogs regained and maintained full continence after CLA alone. Subsequent medical or surgical therapy allowed further improvements when needed. Post‐CLA neutering did not negatively impact urinary continence score. Clinical Significance The beneficial effect of iEU‐CLA in female dogs is long standing and not affected by postprocedural neutering.