title: Pararectal cystotomy for urolith removal in nine horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report outcome of horses after standing pararectal cystotomy for removal of uroliths.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n=9) with cystic calculi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (December 1998-May 2007) of horses with cystic calculi that had standing pararectal cystotomy were reviewed. Signalment; urolith number, size, and type; surgical technique; sedation and analgesia protocols; intra- and postoperative complications and outcome were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uroliths (mean diameter, 6.37 cm; median, 6 cm; range, 3-10 cm) were removed intact without need for fragmentation. Eight (89%) horses had no complications and 1 horse (11%) developed persistent drainage from the perineal incision and incisional healing was prolonged. The complications resolved after wound revision, and although cystoscopy showed absence of uroliths, the clinical signs associated with cystitis recurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cystic calculi can be removed safely in standing horses using a pararectal approach. The procedure was well tolerated and no serious complications were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pararectal cystotomy allows removal of cystic calculi in standing sedated horses. The technique may offer an economic advantage over approaches that require general anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Gustavo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Abuja
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-López
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doran
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kirker-Head
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053715:Cystotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011187:Posture; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001744:Urinary Bladder Calculi / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*