title: The outcome of combined urethropexy and colposuspension for management of bitches with urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report 1) a combined technique of urethropexy and colposuspension; 2) intra- and postoperative complications; and 3) medium term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female dogs (n = 30) with urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) unresponsive to medical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a ventral median celiotomy, the bladder was positioned abdominally to permit the urethra to be anchored with single interrupted polypropylene sutures to the prepubic tendon and linea alba. The vagina was freed from the vesicovaginal and rectovaginal attachments and advanced cranially by traction before attachment to the prepubic tendon with polypropylene mattress sutures. Bitches were re-examined 2 weeks postoperatively; medium term outcome (>6 months) was evaluated by telephone interview of owners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a median follow up of 39.5 months, 21 bitches (70%) were considered to have an "excellent" medium term outcome with complete resolution of their urinary signs; 8 (26.6%) had a "good" outcome, and 3 (10%) had mild transient dysuria postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined urethropexy and colposuspension resulted in complete resolution of urinary incontinence in 70% of bitches with USMI and was not associated with major complications.
authors.affiliation: Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martinoli
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nelissen
authors.forename: Richard A S
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery