Bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy in cats offers good exposure for resection of large vaginal masses with minimal postoperative complications

Authors
Kate Forster, Krizia Compagnone, Francesca Fabrizio
Journal
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2023 Aug 25;261(12):1-7. doi: 10.2460/javma.23.05.0260.

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, surgical technique, histopathological diagnosis, and postoperative outcome in 3 cats with extensive vaginal masses.

Animals: Medical records of cats diagnosed with vaginal masses that had a bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy and vaginectomy between 2004 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Three cats met the inclusion criteria.

Clinical presentation: Histopathological diagnosis included T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma (n = 1), mycetoma (1), and vaginal polyp (1). Diagnostic imaging included CT (n = 2) and MRI (1), and tumor length/width/height percentages in relation to the pelvic dimensions were 53% X 62% X 63% (case 1), 50% X 100% X 60% (case 2), and 150% X 120% X 120% (case 3). A bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy was performed in all 3 cases.

Results: All 3 cases developed mild pelvic-limb splaying postoperatively; all resolved within 8 weeks, and 2 cases fully resolved within 14 days. Two of the 3 cases presented with mild stranguria postoperatively, which resolved fully in both cases.

Clinical relevance: Vaginal neoplasia, either malignant or benign, is infrequently reported in cats in the veterinary literature. Bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy for resection of vaginal masses in cats is a successful surgical approach, offering good exposure for resection of large vaginal masses, with minimal postoperative complications.