Evaluation of postoperative complication rates in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy performed in dorsal recumbency.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Medical records were reviewed for cats that underwent a perineal urethrostomy performed in dorsal recumbency for the treatment of urethral obstruction. Information, including signalment, reason for presentation, number of previous obstructions, surgery time, and perioperative and postoperative complications, were collected through a review of medical records and owner follow-up. The objective was to evaluate short- and long-term complications in cats that underwent perineal urethrostomy performed in dorsal recumbency for treatment of urethral obstruction.

RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: No major or life-threatening complications, such as urethral stricture, re-obstruction, euthanasia due to lower urinary signs or chronic urinary tract infection, were reported. Short-term complications were limited to dysuria in 2/12 (16.7%) cats. Long-term follow-up was available for nine cats. The most common long-term complication seen in this population of cats was a single recurrence of urinary tract infection in 3/9 (33.3%) cats that resolved after a short course of empirical antibiotic therapy. Performing perineal urethrostomy in dorsal recumbency is safe and may have advantages to ventral recumbency due to improved visualization, allowing for more efficient dissection and improved accuracy in tissue apposition during closure. We believe this has been a major contributor to our reported reduced major postoperative complication rate.