Surgical treatment and outcome of sterile prostatic cysts in dogs

To describe the surgical treatment and outcome of a large cohort of dogs with sterile prostatic cysts (PCs).

Retrospective study.

Forty-four client-owned dogs.

Dogs with sterile PCs with at least 6 months of follow-up were included. Clinical variables, type of surgery, complications, recurrences, and outcomes (telephonic interviews or rechecks) were recorded.

Extra- and intraparenchymal cysts were diagnosed in 29 and 11 dogs, respectively. Four dogs had both types. Extraparenchymal cysts were treated by partial resection and omentalization (n = 22) and complete resection (n = 7). Drainage and intracapsular omentalization were performed in all dogs with intraparenchymal cysts. The four dogs with both types of cyst were treated by omentalization. Resolution was documented in 39/44 dogs (88.6%). Intraoperative complications occurred in one dog (urethral tear). Major complications resulting in death occurred in three dogs (oliguric kidney injury, cardiac arrhythmia, and persisting urinary tract obstruction). Minor complications (n = 10) consisted of temporary urinary incontinence (n = 2), permanent urinary incontinence (n = 5), urinary retention (n = 2), and dysuria (n = 1). Recurrence occurred in two dogs with extraparenchymal cysts. Median long-term follow-up was 528 days (range, 250-730 days). Thirty-nine dogs had no signs associated with prostatic disease at long-term follow-up.

Partial or complete resection and/or omentalization of sterile PCs led to resolution of clinical signs in most dogs, although postoperative urinary incontinence was frequent.

This study is the largest case series relative to canine sterile PCs treated surgically and provides evidence on the prognosis and rate of complications.