Small Animal Surgery Resident Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon
Partial cystectomy has been described to treat benign and malignant conditions. The objectives of this study are to describe a technique for laparoscopic partial cystectomy and to evaluate the ability of an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) stapler to seal canine bladder tissue. We hypothesized that a laparoscopic partial cystectomy would be feasible in dogs without the need for conversion to celiotomy. Additionally, we hypothesized that endoscopic GIA staplers would appose and seal the canine bladder with minimal leakage. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy was performed with an endoscopic GIA stapler in ten canine cadavers. Leak testing and urodynamic evaluation was performed to measure intravesical pressure at initial leakage and catastrophic failure or the maximum pressure at which intravesical pressure plateaued. Surgical time, complications, and site of leakage were also recorded. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy was successfully performed in all cadavers. Median procedure time was 13.6 minutes (10.1-15.2 minutes). Median intravesical pressure at initial leakage was 31 mmHg (28-56 mmHg). No catastrophic failure of the cystectomy site was observed during leak testing. Intravesical pressure plateaued at a median of 52 mmHg (39-73 mmHg). Laparoscopic stapled partial cystectomy was feasible in canine cadavers. Endoscopic GIA staplers appear to seal the canine bladder with minimal leakage. Although only cadavers with grossly normal bladders were selected for this study, it is possible that the use of cadaveric tissue may have affected our findings. Use of an endoscopic GIA stapler may provide a minimally invasive option for partial cystectomy in dogs and warrants further evaluation in live dogs.
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