Use of a rectus abdominis muscle flap to repair urinary bladder and urethral defects in a dog.
METHODS
An 11-month-old female dog was evaluated because of a 3- to 4-day history of stranguria and hematuria.


RESULTS
Rectal and vaginal examination and abdominal radiography revealed a large (4 x 2 cm), firm, ovoid object in the area of the pelvic inlet, between the vagina and colon.


RESULTS
Surgical exploration revealed an abscess and moderate amount of seropurulent fluid in the left caudal abdominal quadrant. A large urethrolith (3.7 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm) was evident in the proximal portion of the urethra. The urethrolith was associated with a 3 x 1-cm area of necrosis in the ventral aspect of the proximal portion of the urethra and a 3 x 3-cm area of necrosis in the area of the bladder trigone. The necrotic areas were débrided, and the defect was repaired with an axial pattern flap constructed from the rectus abdominis muscle. During a follow-up examination 2.5 years after surgery, the dog was clinically normal with no history of urinary incontinence. During rigid cystoscopy, the ure-thral mucosa appeared grossly normal, and there was no evidence of stricture.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggested that axial pattern flaps constructed from the rectus abdominis muscle flap may be useful in reconstructing large urinary bladder and urethral defects.
Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Southfield, MI 48034, USA.
Roman S
RS
Savicky
Andrew H
AH
Jackson
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination