Inguinal gravid hysterocele in feline

ABSTRACT

Background: Hysterocele is an inheritance rare in feline, characterized by the protrusion of the uterus by the inguinal channel, a situation related with the congenital abnormality of the inguinal ring, allowing the protrusion of abdominal contents for the subcutaneous space. As differential diagnosis of hysterocele are the breast cancer, abscesses and bruises and image exams such as radiography and ultrasonography have large relevance for identifying the disease and, additionally, clarify the hernia content. The purpose of this study was to describe one case report of the inguinal gravid hysterocele in a cat. Case A 1-year-old female feline, without history of trauma of increase of volume in the inguinal region was referred for clinical evaluation. Due to the presence of three gestational vesicles, the decision by following-up the fetal development was taken, by means of periodical ultrasound evaluations, for performing operative procedure. At 56 days of gestation, when intestinal peristaltic movements of the three kittens were observed, cesarean was indicated. The procedure began by an oblique incision in the left retro-umbilical region, however, due to adhesions, there was no proper uterine exposition for hysterotomy. Retro-umbilical celiotomy, adhesiolise and return of the uterus for the abdominal cavity were performed in order to execute the cesarean followed by ovariohysterectomy. The hernial ring was debrided and sutured in order to keep patent the inguinal ring. No post-operatory complications were noted indicating that the established conduct allowed the survival of the parturient and its kittens. Discussion: In a casuistic study where data from 1988 until 2007 were collected, from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from the University of São Paulo, a higher occurrence of inguinal hernias was observed in female dogs, when compared with male dogs and, until that period, the inguinal hernia was not reported in the feline species...