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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Outcomes of surgery or laser for female dogs with ectopic ureters

By Dekerle, Bastien et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2022·Department of Surgery, France·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Outcomes of 25 female dogs treated for ectopic ureters by open surgery or cystoscopic-guided laser ablation.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A group of 25 female dogs with ectopic ureters (a condition where the ureters don't connect properly to the bladder) underwent either open surgery or a less invasive laser treatment to correct the issue. Most dogs became continent (able to control their urination) within a month after surgery, with 88% achieving long-term continence, although some did experience a return of incontinence later on. The laser treatment had fewer complications and less chance of incontinence returning compared to traditional surgery. Overall, both treatments showed good outcomes, but the laser method is preferred for fewer risks.

People also search for: dog urinary incontinence treatment · ectopic ureter surgery for dogs · laser treatment for dog bladder issues

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes after the correction of ectopic ureter (EU) by open surgery or cystoscopic-guided laser ablation (CLA) in female dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study from 2011 to 2018. ANIMALS: Twenty-five female dogs. METHODS: Data collected included signalment, clinicopathologic data, procedural data, complications, and short-term and long-term outcomes. Complications were graded as minor or major if a surgical revision was required. Continence status was scored subjectively (1&#xa0;=&#xa0;completely incontinent to 10&#xa0;=&#xa0;fully continent). RESULTS: Fifteen dogs had bilateral EU and 24 had intramural EU (iEU). Open surgical correction included 13 neoureterostomies, 2 neocystoureterostomies, and a combination of these in 2 dogs. Eight dogs underwent CLA. Eighteen dogs experienced minor complications (72%), and 2 experienced major complications (8%). One-month postoperative continence was achieved in 20/25 (80%) dogs (median score of 10). Incontinence recurred at a median time of 24.9&#xa0;months in 5 dogs but responded to medical treatment. Overall, dogs remained continent for 66&#x2009;months (median) and 22/25 (88%) dogs achieved continence with adjunction of medical/surgical treatment in incontinent ones. Fewer minor complications and postoperative recurrences of incontinence were documented after CLA than neoureterostomy (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.01 and P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.05). CONCLUSION: Ectopic ureter correction by open surgery or CLA resulted in a subjectively good prognosis, most dogs reaching continence within a month of surgery, although incontinence occasionally recurred in the long term. CLA was associated with fewer complications and incontinence recurrences than neoureterostomy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cystoscopic-guided laser ablation should be preferred to correct iEU to prevent short-term complications and the recurrence of incontinence. Further studies should investigate the cause of postoperative recurrence of urinary incontinence.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35348227/