Microlancet-assisted internal urethrotomy with stent placement for feline pelvic urethral stricture: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intrapelvic urethral strictures in male cats are challenging to manage. Standard perineal urethrostomy cannot address lesions within the pelvic canal, and alternative open surgical techniques carry high morbidity. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old intact male domestic shorthair cat with concurrent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease presented with a 7-day history of stranguria. Diagnostic imaging revealed a focal 1-mm stricture in the post-prostatic urethra. PROCEDURE: Under fluoroscopic guidance, retrograde internal urethrotomy was performed using a 1.3 × 130 mm urethral microlancet via a dorsal approach. A self-expanding laser-cut nitinol stent (5.0 mm × 50 mm) was deployed across the stricture. A double-lumen balloon catheter was placed through the stent for 14 days to promote mucosal integration and prevent migration. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 30 min with no complications. Urethral patency was immediately restored. Follow-up cystoscopy at 7 and 14 days demonstrated progressive epithelial ingrowth and near-complete encapsulation of the stent without restenosis. The cat regained normal urination. CONCLUSION: This report describes the first successful use of microlancet internal urethrotomy combined with nitinol stenting for an intrapelvic urethral stricture in a cat. The technique offers a promising minimally invasive alternative to conventional urethrostomy in high-risk cases.