Objectives: To determine the requirement for 2nd surgical interventions and mortality after 3 different surgical techniques (percutaneous tube cystostomy [10 goats], surgical tube cystostomy [25 goats], urinary bladder marsupialization [10 goats]) for caprine obstructive urolithiasis, and to determine whether pre- or 24-hour postoperative physical examination findings or serum chemistry results could be used as predictors of mortality.
Study design: Retrospective study.
Animals: Male goats (45) with obstructive urolithiasis.
Methods: Medical records for all male goats admitted and operated for obstructive urolithiasis between 1993 and 2003 were reviewed. Data retrieved included signalment, pre- and 24-hour postoperative values for temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, packed cell volume, serum K(+), serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]. The type of initial surgical procedure, time to 2nd surgical intervention, time to death, and duration and cost of hospitalization were also obtained.
Results: Percutaneous tube cystostomy was associated with a significantly increased requirement for (5.6-fold increased hazard) and decreased time to a 2nd intervention (P=.002). There were no differences between the 3 procedures for time to mortality. Increased BUN and respiratory rate at admission were associated with increased mortality (hazards ratio of 4.8 and 5.0, respectively). Urinary bladder marsupialization was associated with significantly decreased hospitalization time (P=.02) and cost (P=.04) compared with surgical tube cystostomy and percutaneous tube cystostomy.
Conclusion: Surgical tube cystostomy and bladder marsupialization are both acceptable surgical methods for treatment of caprine obstructive urolithiasis. Each procedure has inherent complications that should be discussed with the owner before choosing the surgical treatment.
Clinical relevance: There are acceptable options for treatment of caprine obstructive urolithiasis; however, percutaneous tube cystostomy should be avoided.