Surgical treatment of perineal hernia in the dog |
| |
| Authors: | A D WEAVER J O OMAMEGBE |
| |
| Institution: | Department of Veterinary Surgery, Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH |
| |
| Abstract: | In a nine-year period 101 dogs which were available for subsequent follow-up studies, were subjected to perineal hernia surgery. In thirty-six dogs the hernia was bilateral and, therefore, 137 hernias were initially operated. In 111 operations the standard perineal technique was adopted. In twenty-six operations the superficial gluteal muscle was reflected and sutured into the hernial defect (‘gluteal flap’). Later, following recurrence of hernia or new development on the second side, a further sixteen operations were done, including three anal splitting procedures. In all cases the deep sutures were of monofilament nylon. A post-operative follow-up was carried out for a minimum period of 12 (average 39) months. The operative and post-operative complications included superficial and deep wound infection, partial or complete sciatic paralysis, rectal prolapse and recurrence of the hernia following breakdown of the repair, as well as occurrence of the hernia on the opposite side. The success rate (75 per cent excluding six immediate post-operative fatalities) judged by remission of signs and lack of recurrence was higher in the standard technique (81 per cent) than the gluteal flap method (64 per cent). Anal splitting was unsuccessful and resulted in faecal incontinence. The standard technique was slow, sometimes gave limited exposure but was rarely associated with wound breakdown (13 per cent of operations), though sciatic paralysis was only noted in this procedure. The gluteal flap method was longer, gave excellent exposure with no risk of sciatic nerve damage, but was often associated with wound breakdown (58 per cent). Both techniques led sometimes to rectal prolapse. Castration with hernial repair resulted in a lower recurrence rate (13 per cent v. 20 per cent). Castration should be carried out in all cases of perineal hernia. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
