Laparoscopic bladder tumor removal in two dogs with cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the procedure and short-term outcomes of two dogs that underwent laparoscopic stapled partial cystectomy with intraoperative cystoscopy for excision of solitary, non-trigonal, urothelial carcinoma lesions. ANIMALS: A 12-year-old female spayed mixed breed and a 13-year-old female spayed Siberian Husky. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: Two dogs were diagnosed with a solitary, ventral body to apical, urinary bladder mass (maximal dimensions 1.2 cm and 1.4 cm) on ultrasound. No gross metastatic disease was evident on staging. Both dogs underwent general anesthesia with cystourethroscopy for evaluation of the bladder tumor and lower urinary tract. Laparoscopic stapled partial cystectomy was subsequently performed for excision of the bladder mass with gross margins of 1-3 cm based on concurrent cystoscopic transillumination and assessment of mucosal changes. Two medium/thick (purple) Tri-Staple EndoGIA cartridges (60 mm and 45 mm) were utilized to complete each cystectomy, and the excised bladder tissue was removed via a specimen retrieval bag and submitted for histopathology. The bladders were leak tested with sterile saline instilled via cystoscopy. RESULTS: No leakage was observed from the cystectomy sites. No intraoperative or short-term complications were reported. Histopathology was consistent with completely excised urothelial carcinoma in both cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic stapled partial cystectomy was successfully performed with intraoperative cystourethroscopy in two dogs with apical/ventral bladder wall urothelial carcinoma. This closed cystectomy technique may reduce the risk for peritoneal seeding, though more data is needed. Further evaluation is indicated to determine the feasibility in dogs with non-apical/ventral urinary bladder masses.