Vaginectomy and urethroplasty as a treatment for non‐pedunculated vaginal tumours in four bitches

Abstract

Vaginal tumours are uncommon in dogs. Previous reports have shown that 73 to 94 per cent of documented vaginal tumours are benign and pedunculated, often on narrow stalks. Some vaginal tumours are non-pedunculated. They grow in a concentric way either towards the vestibular area or towards the cervix. Their growth can locally affect the function of other organs. Urethral and rectal compression as well as local neurological disturbances have been described. This case series describes total and partial vaginectomy associated with urethroplasty as a treatment for non-pedunculated vaginal tumours in four dogs. These surgical procedures allowed complete resection of the tumour and were associated with low morbidity. Postoperative management and short term outcome are discussed. The final outcome was favourable; throughout the follow-up period, no local recurrence or metastasis was encountered in the animals.

Ovariohysterectomy and Partial Vaginectomy for Treatment of Cervicovaginitis in a Dog

“…While medical therapy or benign neglect is the typical approach regarding the treatment of vaginitis, surgical intervention has been reported. Subtotal vaginectomy has been described as treatment for a dog with severe generalized chronic ulcerative vaginitis [8], but this procedure is o en most indicated in cases of vaginal neoplasia and extensive vaginal disease [8,17,18] that is more than 2 cm cranial to the vestibulovaginal junction [19]. Subtotal vaginectomy is o en performed using a combined ventral midline celiotomy and episiotomy with or without pelvic osteotomy/ostectomy to allow for compartmental resection of the vagina from the cervix to the vestibulovaginal junction [8,19].…”

Subtotal Vaginectomy for Management of Extensive Vaginal Disease in 11 Dogs

“…Unlike benign tumors, malignant vaginal masses tend to be broad based and infiltrative, often requiring more extensive surgical resection. Previously described techniques for the management of extensive benign and malignant vaginal tumors include episiotomy alone, ventral median celiotomy, or a combination of ventral median celiotomy, episiotomy with pubic osteotomy, or ostectomy …”

Latex-casting of vessels relevant during vaginectomy in bitches

“…The treatment of non-pedunculated vaginal neoplasia consists of a (sub)total vaginectomy (Hill et al, 2000;Salomon et al, 2004;Tivers and Baines, 2012). This technique includes the removal of the complete vagina or the part of the vaginal wall surrounding the vaginal mass.…”

“…The most frequently observed postoperative complication is serohemorrhagic discharge, presumably originating from minor residual vascular supply to the vaginal wall (Nelissen and White, 2012). Furthermore, incontinence is possible when the neurovascular supply to the bladder, urethra and/ or rectum is compromised by not carefully dissecting the vagina (Salomon et al, 2004). Other possible postoperative complications include bacterial infection, perineal swelling, irritation of the episiotomy incision, bleeding, dysuria, stranguria, pollakisuria, hematuria and perineal hernia formation (Viehoff and Sjollema, 2003;Salomon et al, 2004;Connery and Spotswood, 2012).…”

“…Although vaginectomy involves infrequently performed invasive surgery for a mostly benign process, intra-and postoperative complications seem rare (Viehoff and Sjollema, 2003;Salomon et al, 2004;Connery and Spotswood, 2012;Nelissen and White, 2012). The surgical technique combining a laparotomy and episiotomy approach yields a favorable outcome (Nelissen and White, 2012).…”