Multicenter retrospective evaluation of transmural migration of subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices within the digestive tract in cats

Abstract

Background: Placement of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device is an effective method to relieve all causes of ureteral obstruction in cats. Complications involving migration within the gastrointestinal tract have been seldomly described. Objectives: To characterize transmural migration of SUB devices within the digestive tract in cats. Animals: Eleven migrated SUB catheters identified in 8 cats between 2017 and 2021. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of cats with a SUB device in which migration into the gastrointestinal tract was identified. Results: The median time from SUB device placement to implant migration was 928 days (201-2298 days). Seven cats had obstruction of the SUB device and a positive urine culture at diagnosis. The migration was identified by ultrasound in 6/11, pre-operative contrast radiography in 2/2, and only at time of surgery in 3 SUB devices. All cats underwent surgical correction. Four nephrostomy and 7 cystotomy catheters migrated. Migration occurred into the duodenum (3/11), jejunum (7/11), and colon (1/11). SUB devices were removed in 7 cats and replaced in 2 cats, with Abbreviation: SUB, subcutaneous ureteral bypass.

Letter regarding “Benign ureteral obstruction in cats: Outcome with medical management”

“…Additionally, the need for revision surgery ranged from 8% to 27% and, in a recent multicenter report published in JVIM, transmural migration of 11 devices within the digestive tract also resulted in the need for a second surgical procedure. 4 In human medicine, because of the morbidity and mortality asso- Intraoperative magnification was used for each technique. The incidence of perioperative complications for these cats was 3% (2/74).…”

“…Additionally, the need for revision surgery ranged from 8% to 27% and, in a recent multicenter report published in JVIM, transmural migration of 11 devices within the digestive tract also resulted in the need for a second surgical procedure. 4 …”