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Updated: May 2, 2026
Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications
Published on: May 10, 2024
Complications associated with perineal urethrotomy in 27 equids
Isabelle Kilcoyne1, Julie E Dechant
1William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, California.
Objective:
To report the clinical findings, incidence of complications, and outcome associated with perineal urethrotomy in equids.
Study Design:
Retrospective case series.
Animals:
Equids (n = 27).
Methods:
Medical records (January 2000 to December 2010) of equids that had a perineal urethrotomy were reviewed. Data retrieved and evaluated were breed, age, surgical technique, use of general anesthesia, complications, time from surgery to development of complications and their management, and outcome.
Results:
Perineal urethrotomy was performed for urolithiasis (n = 22), for treatment of urethral rents (3), severe balanoposthitis (1), and bladder atony caused by equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (1). The incidence of complications was 52%, including recurrence of urolithiasis in 5 (23%) equids. Horses that had postoperative cystoscopy and bladder lavage were significantly less like likely to have recurrence of urolithiasis (P = .039). Of equids that had postoperative indwelling urinary catheters, 75% developed complications.
Conclusions:
Perineal urethrotomy can be an effective for treatment of urolithiasis, hematuria, and urethral trauma. Postoperative cystoscopy and bladder lavage significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative recurrence of urolithiasis.
