title: [Surgical therapy of perineal hernia in dogs by the use of Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS™): a retrospective study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgical therapy of perineal hernia in dogs by using Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS™).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective evaluation of pre-, intra-, and postoperative data of 15 dogs for which a total of 21 perineal hernias were surgically treated by implantation of SIS™ between July 2003 to January 2005 at the Hospital for Small Animals, Surgery, Justus Liebig University of Giessen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven of the 15 dogs showed a large sized perineal hernia, whereas in four dogs the defect was of medium size. Preoperatively, 86.7% of the patients showed defecation problems and 40% had perineal swelling. Retroflexion of the bladder was observed in four dogs. Average operation time was 58.1 minutes (50-70 minutes). No intraoperative complications were observed. Postoperative complications were minor (seroma formation in six patients, minor wound dehiscence in three dogs), and only three cases required local therapy. Implant intolerance was not observed. Long-term results were obtained 6-36 months postoperatively (mean 25.2 months) by rectal examination and owner telephone questionnaire. The recurrence rate, based on clinical signs of perineal hernia, was 9.5% (two of 21 perineal hernias). Results were rated excellent to good in 19 of the 21 surgically treated perineal hernias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implantation of SIS™ in the treatment of perineal hernia in dogs is an easy and safe treatment option. Long-term implant tolerance appears to be excellent. Recurrence rate of clinical signs is low. In cases where the defect can not be closed with endogenous tissue, either due to atrophic tissue or dimensions of perineal hernia do not allow such closure, the use of Small Intestinal Submucosa should be considered. The additional costs for the implant are however a disadvantage of this method.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum Veterinärmedizin der Justus Liebig Universität Gießen, Klinik für Kleintiere, Chirurgie, Gießen, Germany. cetina_thiel@yahoo.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lautersack