Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Symphyseal distraction-osteotomy using a novel spacer of spirally fashioned orthopaedic wire for the management of obstipation.
- Journal:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Prassinos, Nikitas N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinic of Surgery
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three domestic shorthair cats, one male and two females, around 17 months old and weighing about 3.5 kg, were brought in because they had been having trouble pooping for about 6 to 8 months. This problem started after they had pelvic fractures that were treated without surgery. After examining them, the vets found that their colons were very stretched with poop and that their pelvic area was too narrow due to the way the fractures healed. The vets performed a special surgery to widen the pelvic canal using a new type of metal spacer. After the surgery, none of the cats had any more issues with constipation during the follow-up period of 1 to 3 years, suggesting that this surgical technique can be effective for treating constipation caused by pelvic canal narrowing in cats, as long as their colon function is still normal.
Abstract
Three domestic shorthair cats, one male and two females, 17.6+/-6.5 months old and 3.5+/-0.4 kg body weight, were admitted with a 6.6+/-1.1 (range 6-8) month history of recurrent bouts of obstipation. Defecatory difficulties had started within a month of conservatively managed pelvic fractures. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed severe colonic distension with faeces and a narrow pelvic canal caused by malunion of the pelvic fractures. A pelvic symphyseal distraction-osteotomy (SDO) technique was performed, using a novel metal spacer of spirally fashioned orthopaedic wire. Pelvic canal enlargement allowed the insertion of an index finger into the rectum. Following this, no further episodes of obstipation occurred during a follow-up period of 1-3 years. The SDO technique may be successful for the treatment of obstipation secondary to post-traumatic pelvic canal stenosis in the cat, if the colon motility is not already permanently affected.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16931087/