2024 article
Presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of cats undergoing surgical treatment of ectopic ureters
Cortez, G. L., Thomson, C. B., Scharf, V. F., Berent, A., Buote, N. J., Carson, B. A., … Singh, A. (2024, June 11). VETERINARY SURGERY.
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being
(Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: June 24, 2024
Abstract Objective To describe the signalment, treatment, complications, and outcomes of cats treated surgically for ectopic ureters. Study design Retrospective, multi‐institutional study. Animals Twelve client‐owned cats. Methods Medical records of cats diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral ectopic ureters were reviewed and analyzed. Data reported included signalment, clinical signs, diagnostics, open celiotomy, or cystoscopic surgical interventions, and outcomes. Results Seven of the 12 cats in the study population were female or female spayed and the median age at time of presentation was 4 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 6 months–14 years. Presurgical diagnostic imaging diagnosed ectopic ureters by abdominal ultrasound (8/10), contrast enhanced computed tomography (3/3), fluoroscopic urography (3/4), or cystoscopy (6/7). Eight of 12 cats had extramural ectopic ureters and six cats were affected bilaterally. Eight affected cats underwent ureteroneocystostomy, one cat underwent neoureterostomy, two cats underwent cystoscopic laser ablation, and one cat underwent nephroureterostomy. Immediate postoperative complications occurred in three cats; one cat required additional surgical intervention. Short‐term complications occurred in three cats, and long‐term complications in two cats. All cats that underwent surgical or cystoscopic intervention had improvement of their urinary incontinence scores, with complete resolution in 11 cats. Conclusion Surgical correction of ectopic ureters in cats is associated with good long‐term outcomes. Ectopic ureters in cats are commonly extramural and bilateral. Postoperative outcomes were acceptable and there were few postoperative complications, with varying forms of surgical correction. Clinical significance Ectopic ureters in cats are rare but urinary incontinence can be corrected or improved successfully with surgery.