Subtotal Colectomy for the Treatment of Obstipation Secondary to Pelvic Fracture Malunion in Cats

Abstract

Eleven cats in which subtotal colectomy with end-to-end jejunocolostomy was performed for the treatment of chronic obstipation secondary to pelvic fracture malunion were followed for at least 18 months. Seven cats had no recurrence of clinical signs and no longterm complications. In two cats, constipation was less severe and occurred less frequently; however, medical treatment was still required. In one cat, watery diarrhea gradually changed to semiformed feces of normal consistency by month 6; the cat was clinically normal at month 18. One cat had recurrence of constipation and was euthanatized after 2 years of medical treatment.

Feline Ilial Fractures: Assessment of Screw Loosening and Pelvic Canal Narrowing After Lateral Plating

“…Pelvic osteotomy and subtotal colectomy have been advocated in the management of megacolon secondary to ilial malunion, 23,24 and thus surgical repair of all displaced ilial fractures causing pelvic narrowing has been previously recommended 25 . Only 1 cat with pelvic collapse of >45% did not have any signs of constipation, although this cat had the shortest follow‐up.…”

Feline Ilial Fractures: A Prospective Study of Dorsal Plating and Comparison with Lateral Plating

“…Iliac fracture configuration was commonly oblique, 1,3 with concurrent acetabular, ischial, and pubic injuries 1 . Medial displacement of fragments often results in decreased pelvic canal width with subsequent risk of constipation, which may progress to megacolon, necessitating surgical intervention by pelvic osteotomy or sub‐total colectomy 4–6 . Peripheral nerve injury has been reported in 11% of dogs and cats with iliac fractures 7,8 .…”

Locking T-Plate Repair of Ilial Fractures in Cats and Small Dogs

“…13 Management of this condition may involve surgery and carry a poor prognosis. 22,23 Our results suggest that, as the degree of pelvic canal narrowing was not affected by the accuracy of reduction of the fractured ilium, the intraoperative priority should be to establish adequate pelvic diameter rather than anatomical reduction of the fracture.…”