Surgical excision of primary canine rectal tumors by an anal approach in twenty-three dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an anal approach for excision of primary rectal tumors in dogs and to report outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Dogs (n=23) with primary rectal tumors.


METHODS
Review of medical records (1990-2000) of dogs with primary rectal neoplasia excised surgically using an anal approach with rectal prolapse. With dogs anesthetized, the rectum was prolapsed, stabilized with stay sutures during tumor excision with 1 cm margins to the level of the muscularis, then the rectal mucosa was sutured.


RESULTS
Each dog had only 1 tumor type (adenocarcinoma [8], solitary polyp [5], carcinoma [4], plasmacytoma [2], adenoma [1], leiomyoma [1], mucinous carcinoma [1], and papilloma [1]). Mean tumor volume was 3.1 cm(3) (range 0.1-37.7 cm(3)). Postoperative complications (rectal bleeding [5], tenesmus [4]) were mild and resolved within 7 days after surgery; another dog had partial mucosal dehiscence identified at 6 days. The primary tumor was incompletely excised in 1 dog (4.3%), and local recurrence occurred 16 and 24 months after surgery in 2 dogs. Outcome beyond the immediate postoperative period was known for 18 dogs, including 2 dogs still alive. Mean postoperative disease-free interval for these 18 dogs was 36.8 months (range 5-84 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical excision of tumors of the caudal rectum can be accomplished through the anus after rectal prolapse.


CONCLUSIONS
An anal approach facilitated by rectal prolapse should be considered as a viable option for the surgical treatment of selected cases of tumors of the caudal aspect of the rectum in dogs.
Danova
Nichole A
NA
Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Robles-Emanuelli
Juan Carlos
JC
Bjorling
Dale E
DE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011127:Polyps / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology