Risk factors for postoperative complications following bilateral closed anal sacculectomy in the dog

Abstract

Anal sacculectomy is a safe procedure with a relatively high rate of short-term but self-limiting, minor, postoperative complications. Smaller (<15 kg) dogs are more likely to experience postoperative complications but the risk of permanent faecal incontinence is low.

Surgical management of primary, metastatic and recurrent anal sac adenocarcinoma in the dog: 52 cases

“…The overall surgical complication rate for primary tumour removal (20%) in this case series was greater than that reported in the only large‐scale study to assess surgical complications following ASAC resection (10%) (Williams et al . ), but was comparable to that reported for anal sacculectomy (Charlesworth ). However, surgical incisions and dissection are commonly more extensive for ASAC excision than for sacculectomy alone suggesting that it is more likely to incur risk of complications associated with wound healing.…”

“…Regardless, one must consider the potential benefits and risks of excision of the contralateral anal sac at the time of ASAC removal. The low to absent incidence of faecal incontinence following surgery for ASAC both herein and in previous reports, coupled with that reported for routine anal sacculectomy (Charlesworth ), may support this treatment strategy, which warrants future investigation.…”

“…All reports regarding surgical complications for ASAC are retrospective in nature and so postoperative complication assessment is greatly limited by the completeness of clinical records. Whilst major complications such as wound dehiscence requiring revision surgery are likely to be reported the more minor complications such as perineal irritation and bruising recorded and retrospectively reported by Charlesworth () may not be recorded or indeed not even considered to be “complications” following major perineal tumour resection.…”

A comparison of the rates of postoperative complications between dogs undergoing laparoscopic and open ovariectomy

“…This inevitably results in a relatively high complication rate being reported but these complication rates should only be quoted in context, that is with reference to the subclassification results. This grading system has been used previously in veterinary studies (Charlesworth , Nicholson ). Many surgeons would regard mild erythema and slight swelling as acceptable at the time of a postoperative check.…”

Anal sac disease in dogs

“…Dogs with chronic inflammatory ASD may also show signs of generalised dermatitis, including otitis externa (Halnan 1976a, Marretta and Matthiesen 1989). Case reports of recurrent anal sacculitis due to grass seed penetration and hair accumulation have also been published (Charlesworth 2014).…”