Static hydraulic urethral sphincter for treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in 11 dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To review the postoperative results and complications associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence managed with a static hydraulic urethral sphincter.

METHODS

Case records and a telephone owner questionnaire were retrospectively used to assess postoperative urinary continence scores (1 - dripping constantly to 10 - completely dry) and presence and frequency of complications.

RESULTS

Eleven spayed females were included. Median continence score/10 (range) awarded preoperatively was 3 (2 to 6), and scores at two weeks, three and six months were 8 (4 to 10), 9 (4 to 10) and 8 (4 to 10), respectively. At the last survey, the median continence score of 9 (5 to 10) was significantly better (P=0·004) than before surgery. Complete continence was achieved in 36·4% of dogs. The median (range) follow-up time was 412 (118 to 749) days. Complications occurred in 9 of 11 dogs and included dysuria (n=7), bacterial cystitis (n=7), longer urination time (n=8), urinary retention (n=3), haematuria (n=1), pain (n=3) and incisional seroma (n=3).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Static hydraulic urethral sphincter was frequently associated with minor complications but no major complications (i.e. those requiring further surgery). Continence scores were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, with the possibility of further improvement following inflation of the sphincter.