Evaluation of complications and long-term outcomes in dogs with surgically treated urethral prolapse

The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications and long-term postoperative outcomes in dogs diagnosed with urethral prolapse (UP) that underwent urethropexy and/or urethral resection and anastomosis (uRA).

Medical records of 21 client-owned dogs undergoing urethropexy and/or uRA were reviewed. Complications and long-term outcomes were assessed retrospectively.

Twenty-one dogs were included, and all dogs survived to discharge. The overall complication rate was 52.3%, with recurrence the most common complication (n = 8/11). Six of 8 dogs with recurrence underwent revision surgery, with 1 dog that underwent 5 revision surgeries involving a salvage partial penile amputation due to persistent recurrence. English bulldog was the most prevalent breed (47.6%) and was significantly associated with UP. There were no significant associations between the procedure (single versus combined), number of sutures placed for urethropexy, suture material, or suture pattern for uRA, and the risk of complications. Castration did not influence the risk of complications.

Urethropexy and uRA were safe when done as single or combined procedures. Recurrence was the most prevalent complication in this study, and may warrant multiple revision surgeries. Appropriate communication about the risk of recurrence and the potential for multiple revision surgeries is recommended for owners with dogs undergoing UP repair.