Total Perineal Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Study in Six Dogs

Perineal hernia refers to the herniation of pelvic and abdominal viscera into the subcutaneous perineal region through a pelvic diaphragm weakness: a concomitant prostatic disease is observed in 25–59% of cases. Prostatectomy involves the removal of the prostate, either partially (partial prostatectomy) or completely (total prostatectomy). In case of complicated perineal hernia, staged procedures are recommended: celiotomy in order to perform colopexy, vasopexy, cystopexy, and/or to treat the prostatic disease, and perineal access in order to repair the perineal hernia. Very few reports relate prostatectomy using a perineal approach and, to the extent of the author’s knowledge, this technique has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature. The aim of this article is to retrospectively describe the total perineal prostatectomy in dogs presenting perineal hernia with concomitant prostatic diseases which required the removal of the gland. The experience in six dogs (three dogs with the prostate within hernial contents and three dogs with intrapelvic prostate) is reported as well as advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the surgical procedure. In the authors’ clinical practice, total perineal prostatectomy has been a useful surgical approach to canine prostatic diseases, proven to be safe, well tolerated, and effective.

Postoperative MRI Findings Following Conventional and Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision in Low Rectal Cancer

Aim: The disparity in outcomes for low rectal cancer may reflect differences in operative approach and quality. The extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) was developed to reduce margin involvement in low rectal cancers by widening the excision of the conventional abdominoperineal excision (c-APE) to include the posterior pelvic diaphragm. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and localization of inadvertent residual pelvic diaphragm on postoperative MRI after intended ELAPE and c-APE.Methods: A total of 147 patients treated with c-APE or ELAPE for rectal cancer were included. Postoperative MRI was performed on 51% of the cohort (n = 75) and evaluated with regard to the residual pelvic diaphragm by a radiologist trained in pelvic MRI. Patient records, histopathological reports, and standardized photographs were assessed. Pathology and MRI findings were evaluated independently in a blinded fashion. Additionally, preoperative MRIs were evaluated for possible risk factors for margin involvement.Results: Magnetic resonance imaging-detected residual pelvic diaphragm was identified in 45 (75.4%) of 61 patients who underwent ELAPE and in 14 (100%) of 14 patients who underwent c-APE. An increased risk of margin involvement was observed in anteriorly oriented tumors with 16 (22%) of 73 anteriorly oriented tumors presenting with margin involvement vs. 7 (9%) of 74 non-anteriorly oriented tumors (p = 0.038).Conclusion: Residual pelvic diaphragm following abdominoperineal excision can be depicted by postoperative MRI. Inadvertent residual pelvic diaphragm (RPD) was commonly found in the series of patients treated with the ELAPE technique. Anterior tumor orientation was a risk factor for circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement regardless of surgical approach.

The Application of Pelvic Floor Ultrasound Image Analysis Technology in the Neurorehabilitation of Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of neurorehabilitation on the structure of the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) of parturient women by using the image analysis technology of PFM ultrasonography, and to explore the imaging indexes for the comprehensive evaluation of the therapeutic outcome of postpartum urinary incontinence (PUI), thus providing a direct and reliable imaging basis for the clinic. Methods: From January 2017 to July 2019, 80 patients suffering from stress incontinence were included. All patients were divided into the control group (40 patients) and the rehabilitation group (40 patients) randomly. They received routine guidance, health education, and neurorehabilitation, respectively. The PFM was examined and the therapeutic outcome was evaluated by the PFM ultrasonography image analysis technology. Results: Compared to the control group, in the resting state, the levels of pelvic diaphragm hiatus diameter (PHD), pelvic diaphragm hiatus transverse diameter (PHTD), pelvic diaphragm hiatus area (PHA), and the horizontal angle of levator ani muscle (LAM) hiatus of the rehabilitation group were notably lower; in the maximum Valsalva action, the PHD, PHTD, and PHA levels of the rehabilitation group were notably lower; in the anorectal movement, the PHD, PHTD, and PHA levels of the rehabilitation group were notably decreased, and the total effectiveness of the rehabilitation group was notably higher. Conclusion: PFM ultrasonography image analysis technology can dynamically observe the changes of PFM structure parameters before and after neurorehabilitation, which is worthy of clinical application. PHD, PHTD and PHA can be used as important imaging indicators to measure the outcome of neurorehabilitation.

Experience in surgical correction of genital prolapse caused by abdominoperineal operations for colon cancer in anamnesis

In recent studies, it has been established that extralevator abdominoperineal extirpation (ELAPE) of the rectum can improve the oncological results of treatment of distal rectal cancer compared to standard abdominoperineal extirpation. As a result of extralevator dissection, a large defect of the perineum is formed, which requires plastic closure. While performing ELAPE, the structures that form the pelvic diaphragm are affected. This increases the risk of pelvic organ prolapse in women and significantly affects the quality of life of these patients, which requires subsequent surgical treatment. Despite the fact that pelvic organ prolapse develops as a consequence of previous surgical treatment by an oncologist, they do not consider it as a complication in the long-term postoperative period. Such patients are not referred to the operating gynecologist. Currently, this problem is poorly understood and there are no standardized approaches to the surgical treatment of pelvic prolapse in this category of patients.

Application of polypropylene mesh on bilateral perineal hernia: A case study

The protuberance of pelvic viscera is due to the weakness or failure of pelvic diaphragm muscles called a perineal hernia. The etiology of this disease involved in this process was poorly determined but associated with multi-factors which included gonadal hormone imbalance, rectal abnormalities, prostatic disease, and myopathy. Additionally, the prevalence of middle age and old dogs overwhelmed the young ones due to the change in livelihood and diet. Although there was a certain rate of success in treatment for perineal hernia, this disease had high proportions of recurrence and postoperative complications. This study was conducted at Sasaki Animal Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City to manage this disease by the synthetic mesh implant. A 10-year castrated male Pomeranian (5.2 kg) was referred to clinical examination because of a 4-month complaint of the return of a mass at the perineal area. The owner also reported constipation and hematuria with the presence of pus. Rectal palpation and radiography indicated that the bladder contained in the hernia sac. Ultrasound showed that the bladder contained a large clump of pus. Blood test and antimicrobial-resistant test were also performed by taking the blood and urine with a pus sample, respectively. The ill animals were treated for bacterial infection and then operated to relocate hernia by polypropylene mesh. After 14-day operation, the results were considered satisfactory, which the perineal area returned to normal without any complications. However, the recurrence of this non-infectious disease was reported to range from 10-46%. Therefore, the following health check was necessary to perform twice within a year.

Perineal Hernia in a Bitch

Background: Perineal hernia is characterized by the displacement of abdominal organs to the perineal region after rupture or weakening of the pelvic diaphragm muscles. This condition is common among middle-aged and elderly unneutered male dogs. Considering the severity of the condition and its rarity among bitches, this paper reports on a case of perineal hernia caused by hydrometra in a 12-year-old pinscher bitch.Case: The patient was a 12-year-old Pinscher bitch, weighing 3 kg, suffering from anuria and constipation in the 36 h prior to treatment, without reported trauma. She was unspayed, and her last estrus had occurred approximately thirty days previously. The physical examination revealed an increase in volume in the right perineal region, increased volume in the left inguinal region, increased body temperature (39.8ºC), pale mucous membranes, tachycardia, tachypnea, abdominal pain and increased popliteal lymph nodes. The diagnosis was determined based on her medical history, clinical signs and an ultrasound scan, which revealed dilated uterine horns displaced unilaterally in the left inguinal region, with evidence of hydrometra, full urinary bladder inside the hernia sac in the right dorsolateral perineal region and right kidney pyelectasis. After evaluating the animal’s physical condition, surgery was recommended, involving ovariohysterectomy associated with inguinal and perineal herniorrhaphy.Discussion: Perineal hernia, a common condition in male dogs, is characterized by the displacement of organs towards the perineal region. However, in this case, this condition occurred in female dog. Unlike males, the main causes of perineal hernia in females are trauma, chronic coughing related to heart disease, bronchitis, and tracheal collapse. Increased intra-abdominal pressure associated with a weak pelvic diaphragm predisposes for herniation of abdominal contents, such as occurred through hydrometra. In this case, other factors that could pertain to the etiology of perineal hernia were excluded, given the absence of trauma or secondary diseases. The diagnosis was made based on a physical examination and ultrasound scan. Pre-surgical biochemical blood tests were also performed. The chosen treatment was ovariohysterectomy followed by inguinal and perineal herniorrhaphy. The traditional surgical procedure to reduce the perineal hernia was employed, using approximation sutures due to the easy apposition of wound edges. The structures and soft tissues involved showed no changes in color or texture, thus obviating the need for more elaborate techniques, which are employed in the case of relapse or muscle atrophy. The patient showed clinical evolution after surgical correction, with decreased perineal volume and recovery of urinary function (normuria). The patient was discharged after 72 h, and six months after the surgical procedure, she presented no clinical alteration, according to information provided in a telephone call by her owner. It is believed that the increase in volume caused by the presence of hydrometra was the determining factor for the development of inguinal and perineal hernias. It is suggested that alterations causing uterine enlargement be investigated in order to include perineal hernia in female dogs as a differential diagnostic tool.

Laparoscopic Rectopexy – A New Management for Rectal Prolapse at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Introduction: Rectal prolapse is a debilitating and unpleasant condition adversely affecting the quality of life. It is a distal displacement of the rectum through the pelvic diaphragm that produces pressure symptoms on other pelvic organs causing fecal incontinence, obstructive defecation, or even strangulation. Different perineal and abdominal approaches have been described for surgical correction of rectal prolapse. Laparoscopic Rectopexy has been proven to be an effective treatment for rectal prolapse. Objective: LPR has recently been practiced as a method of treatment for rectal prolapse at GPHC. This study aims to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of the patients who underwent Laparoscopic Rectopexy in the effort to highlight this practice in Guyana and the Caribbean. Design /Method: The study design includes a retrospective review and prospective follow-up of a series of 4 patients who underwent LPR at GPHC for rectal prolapse. Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative factors surrounding the procedure were recorded and analyzed. Results: All patients were males of 29-52 years of age. One (1) Patient was a smoker and One (1) used alcohol. Two (2) patients had a previous perineal approach for rectal prolapse that recurred. No comorbidities were recorded. All patients had complete rectal procidentia. Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy was done for each patient. None of the cases were converted. All patients were fully ambulant by postoperative day one and all were discharged by postoperative day three. No short-term recurrence was recorded for three patients; the fourth patient did not complete the six months postoperative period. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Rectopexy was successfully pioneered at GPHC as a method of management for rectal prolapse with good outcomes.

A Review of the Surgical Management of Perineal Hernias in Dogs

ABSTRACT Perineal hernia refers to the failure of the muscular pelvic diaphragm to support the rectal wall, resulting in herniation of pelvic and, occasionally, abdominal viscera into the subcutaneous perineal region. The proposed causes of pelvic diaphragm weakness include tenesmus associated with chronic prostatic disease or constipation, myopathy, rectal abnormalities, and gonadal hormonal imbalances. The most common presentation of perineal hernia in dogs is a unilateral or bilateral nonpainful swelling of the perineum. Clinical signs do occur, but not always. Clinical signs may include constipation, obstipation, dyschezia, tenesmus, rectal prolapse, stranguria, or anuria. The definitive diagnosis of perineal hernia is based on clinical signs and findings of weak pelvic diaphragm musculature during a digital rectal examination. In dogs, perineal hernias are mostly treated by surgical intervention. Appositional herniorrhaphy is sometimes difficult to perform as the levator ani and coccygeus muscles are atrophied and unsuitable for use. Internal obturator muscle transposition is the most commonly used technique. Additional techniques include superficial gluteal and semitendinosus muscle transposition, in addition to the use of synthetic implants and biomaterials. Pexy techniques may be used to prevent rectal prolapse and bladder and prostate gland displacement. Postoperative care involves analgesics, antibiotics, a low-residue diet, and stool softeners.