Resection of vaginal neoplasms by video-vaginoscopy in bitches

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaginal neoplasms usually represent a challenge for veterinary surgeons. Surgical resection often requires episiotomy or even laparotomy and pubic osteotomy, increasing the risk for intra and postoperative complications, such as severe pain, bleeding, wound infection or dehiscence and vaginal stenosis. Endoscopic treatment of neoplastic lesions is routinely used in human patients. However, the information about its use in small animals is sparse. Thus, the aim of the current study was to report two cases of successful vaginoscopic treatment of vaginal neoplasms in bitches. Case A female Labrador weighing 26 kg (patient 1) and a mongrel bitch weighting 10 kg (patient 2) were attended due to vaginal bleeding. Physical examination revealed a pendunculated hard nodular mass in the caudal third of the vaginal dorsal fl oor in patient 1. In patient 2, two nodular, fi brous, infi ltrated masses of different dimension were touched on the mucosa of the caudal third of the vagina. The vaginal cytology revealed erythrocytes, cellular debris and anestrus in both cases. Given the clinical suspicion of vaginal neoplasia, the endoscopic approach by vaginoscopy was chosen in order for diagnostic investigation and surgical treatment. Under general anesthesia, a rigid 10-mm telescope with 6-mm working channel was employed for initial examination. A 10-mmHg CO2 pneumovagina was...(AU)