Transobturator vaginal tape inside out for treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence: preliminary results in 7 female dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the transobturator vaginal tape inside-out (TVT-O) in incontinent female dogs affected with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) and to determine its urodynamic and morphologic effects.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Incontinent spayed female dogs (n=7).


METHODS
TVT-O tape was inserted in 7 incontinent female dogs diagnosed with USMI. Urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and vaginourethrograms were performed preoperatively, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Clinical efficacy of the technique was evaluated and complications reported. Follow-up information was evaluated by a telephone questionnaire.


RESULTS
All dogs were continent immediately after the procedure. Incontinence recurred 2 months after surgery in 1 dog and was treated by phenylpropanolamine administration. At mean follow-up time of 11.3 months, 6 of 7 dogs were continent. An iatrogenic urethral tear occurred intraoperatively in 1 dog. No postoperative complications were encountered. The postoperative UPPs showed significantly increased maximal urethral closure pressure and integrated pressure. Postoperative vaginourethrograms were unremarkable. The surgical procedure did not modify the location of the urinary bladder neck in dogs with a "pelvic urinary bladder" preoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
TVT-O was efficient in maintaining short term continence in 6 of 7 dogs affected with USMI.
Claeys
Stéphanie
S
Department of Clinical Sciences (Companion Animals), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Stephanie.Claeys@ulg.ac.be
de Leval
Jean
J
Hamaide
Annick
A
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014563:Urodynamics; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*