Prepubic urethrostomy: A long-term study in 16 cats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the indications for and long-term outcome of prepubic urethrostomy (PPU) in the cat.


METHODS
Retrospective survey.


METHODS
Sixteen cats that had undergone PPU.


METHODS
Data were recovered from the medical records of the cats. Follow-up information was obtained from the owners and referring veterinarians.


RESULTS
Indications for PPU were: failed perineal urethrostomy for the management of idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (ILUTD) (8 cats) or urethral trauma (1 cat); unresolved pelvic urethral obstruction after recurrent ILUTD (5 cats); and stenosis of the pelvic urethra as a result of trauma (2 cats). A patent urethral stoma was created in all cases. Signs of lower urinary tract disease were present in 8 cats postoperatively. With appropriate dietary management, these signs resolved in 2 cats and improved in another 4 cats. Eleven cats experienced postoperative complications that consisted of peristomal skin irritation or necrosis (7 cats) and urinary incontinence (6 cats). Complications developed in the immediate postoperative period in 6 cats, and resolved in 2 of these. Six cats developed late complications, at 6 to 84 months postoperatively. Six cats were euthanatized between 1 and 26 months' postoperatively. The mean survival time in these cats was 13 months. Reasons for euthanasia included urinary incontinence (3 cats), skin necrosis (2 cats), and unresolvable ILUTD (1 cat).


CONCLUSIONS
PPU is a salvage procedure that is successful in relieving the signs of urinary tract obstruction and preventing further obstruction. However, potential complications should limit its use to cases in which standard techniques for perineal urethrostomy cannot be performed.


CONCLUSIONS
PPU is a comparatively simple procedure that should be considered as a salvage technique for obstructive disease of the pelvic urethra.
Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England.
S J
SJ
Baines
S
S
Rennie
R S
RS
White
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary