Surgery using mouth tissue to fix urethral blockages in male dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of correcting penile urethral strictures at the bulbus glandis using buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: Five male dogs with urethral strictures located at the bulbus glandis. METHODS: Urethrotomy was performed throughout the entire length of the urethral stricture including ~0.5 cm healthy urethra proximal and distal. The scarred tissue and unhealthy mucosa of the strictured urethra were completely excised. The graft was harvested from the buccal mucosa and tubularized at the stricture site using a urethral catheter as the skeleton. The catheter was maintained for 14 days after surgery and removed when no urethral leakage was identified on a positive-contrast retrograde urethrogram. The dogs were discharged after spontaneous urination was confirmed. Six months postoperative follow-up was completed for all dogs with repeated positive contrast urethrogram and an owner questionnaire to score urinary function and quality of life. RESULTS: The five dogs recovered well following surgery and only one dog experienced a minor complication. All dogs were able to urinate normally after catheter removal. No evidence of leakage was identified on a 14 day postoperative retrograde positive contrast urethrogram and clinically at a median follow-up time of 182 days (range, 182-186). All owners scored the urinary function as excellent and ranked their satisfaction very high 6 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty has positive outcomes for dogs with penile urethral strictures.