A technique for resection of invasive tumors involving the trigone area of the bladder in dogs: preliminary results in two dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a surgical technique for resection of the entire bladder neck, including the trigone and proximal urethra in dogs with invasive tumors causing life-threatening urinary tract obstruction.


METHODS
Clinical case reports.


METHODS
Dogs (n=2) with bladder tumors.


METHODS
Circumferential excision of the bladder neck and proximal urethra with preservation of the neurovascular pedicles was performed to remove a rhabdomyosarcoma (dog 1) and a transitional cell carcinoma (dog 2) involving the trigone and bladder neck that were causing urinary tract obstruction. Reconstruction of the bladder and proximal urethra included bilateral ureteroneocystostomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered postoperatively to both dogs.


RESULTS
Postoperatively, dogs 1 and 2 were continent after 7 and 17 days, respectively, and regained normal urinary function after resolution of a transient pollakiuria. Dog 1 had no evidence of local or regional recurrence; however, a large solitary pulmonary metastatic lesion was diagnosed 8 months later. The dog was euthanatized despite a lack of clinical signs. Dog 2 had at least 1 metastatic lesion in the abdominal wall 6 months later and was euthanatized at 580 days because of renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
En-bloc removal of the bladder neck and proximal urethra with preservation of the dorsal vascular and nervous pedicles, although a technically challenging procedure, can be performed without associated urinary incontinence or bladder wall necrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In dogs with invasive bladder tumors causing life-threatening urinary tract obstruction, resection of the bladder neck and proximal urethra should be considered as a promising surgical alternative to urinary diversion.
Saulnier-Troff
Francois-Guillaume
FG
Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Belgium.
Busoni
Valeria
V
Hamaide
Annick
A
D000818:Animals; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery