Use of rectal tissue for reconstruction of an anogenital cleft in a juvenile dog with recurrent rectal prolapse.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-month-old 4.2 kg sexually intact female mixed-breed dog was evaluated for rectal and vesicular tenesmus, intermittent rectal prolapse, fecal incontinence, and an anogenital cleft. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Rectal prolapse and an anogenital cleft were confirmed on physical examination. Results of a CBC and serum biochemical analysis were within respective reference ranges, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormalities. Urinalysis revealed evidence of a urinary tract infection. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: An H-perineoplasty was performed and the prolapse was reduced. The repair partially dehisced and was repaired (with concurrent reduction of a recurrent rectal prolapse) but dehisced again. There was limited tissue available for additional reconstruction. In another surgical procedure, the rectum was allowed to prolapse, the most dorsal 40% of the prolapsed rectal tissue was resected, and the rectal tissue margin and skin in this region were apposed. The remaining rectal tissue flap was folded ventrally, and the lateral margins of the aborad aspect were sutured to the dorsolateral vestibular mucosa. In a subsequent surgery, 2.5 to 3 cm of the rectal tissue flap was excised. The remainder was used to create ventral margins for the rectum and vestibular mucosa. The perineal skin between the anus and dorsal vulvar commissure was closed. The patient experienced mild cutaneous partial dehiscence of the repair that healed by second intention. Over an 18-month follow-up period, some fecal incontinence persisted, but straining resolved and urinary tract infection did not recur. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For the dog of this report, the use of rectal mucosa in surgical repair of an anogenital cleft provided an acceptable clinical outcome.

Factors associated with long-term survival in dogs undergoing liver lobectomy as treatment for liver tumors.

The objectives of the study were to describe clinicopathologic findings in dogs that underwent surgical treatment of liver tumors and to define outcome-associated variables in this canine population. Medical records of 118 dogs that underwent liver lobectomy were reviewed. Variables were assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Hazard ratios, median survival times (MSTs), and Kaplan-Meier Survival curves (KMSCs) were created for significant variables. Of the dogs with surgically addressed hepatic tumors, 93% survived to discharge. The MST was not reached. Lethargic dogs had a mortality risk 10.2 times that of non-lethargic dogs. Non-tachypneic dogs had a mortality risk 4.3 times that of tachypneic dogs. Dogs that experienced anesthetic complications had a mortality risk 100 times that of dogs that did not. We conclude that the prognosis associated with liver tumors is good. Lethargy, respiratory rate, and anesthetic complications were associated with outcome.

Facteurs associés à la survie à long terme chez les chiens subissant une lobectomie du foie pour traiter les tumeurs hépatiques. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de décrire les résultats clinicopathologiques chez les chiens qui avaient subi le traitement chirurgical de tumeurs hépatiques et de définir les résultats associés aux variables dans cette population canine. Les dossiers médicaux de 118 chiens qui avaient subi une lobectomie du foie ont été examinés. Les variables ont été évaluées par des analyses de régression de Cox à une et à plusieurs variables. Des ratios des risques, de la durée de survie médiane (DMS) et des courbes de survie de Kaplan-Meier ont été créés pour les variables importantes. Parmi les chiens avec des tumeurs hépatiques corrigées par chirurgie, 93 % ont survécu jusqu'au congé. La DMS n'a pas été atteinte. Les chiens léthargiques avaient un risque de mortalité 10,2 fois supérieur à celui des chiens non léthargiques. Les chiens non tachypnéiques présentaient un risque de mortalité 4,3 fois supérieur à celui des chiens tachypnéiques. Les chiens qui avaient connu des complications lors de l'anesthésie présentaient un risque de mortalité 100 fois supérieur à celui des chiens qui n'avaient pas eu de complications. Nous concluons que le pronostic associé aux tumeurs hépatiques est bon. La léthargie, le taux respiratoire et les complications à l'anesthésie étaient associés aux résultats.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).