Subtotal Vaginectomy as a Treatment for Vaginal Tumours in Two Bitches

Abstract

Leiomyoma/leiomyosarcoma, fibroma, and transmissible venereal tumor account for most of the canine vulvar/vaginal neoplasms (Thacher and Bradley, 1983). Genital tract tumours are usually seen in medium aged non-spayed dogs and the recommended treatment choice is the surgery (Klein, 2001). Vaginectomy can be complete or subtotal. The indication for a vaginectomy is for the treatment of large or malignant vaginal tumours (Tivers and Baines, 2012). To report a surgical technique for subtotal vaginectomy using a combined abdominal and vestibular approach; postoperative management; and short-term outcome. Two female dogs were diagnosed with extensive intramural caudal vagina and cervix mass and pyometra. Preoperative evaluation and a centesis biopsy were performed. Through a ventral median celiotomy the ovariohysterectomy was performed. A subtotal vaginectomy was carried out using an episiotomy approach. The caudal part of the vagina was dissected and separated from the vestibule at the vestibule-vaginal junction, just cranial to the urethral orifice and the vagina freed from any remaining pelvic attachments. Dogs were reexamined at one month and 6 months postoperatively. A combined abdominal and vestibular approach permitted subtotal vaginectomy in both cases. Histopathological examination of the excised tumour reveals fibroleiomyoma, squamous carcinoma and haemangioma. The two bitches included in this study showed a satisfactory outcome with no tumour recurrence or metastases at follow-up examination. The surgical technique described here allowed complete resection of extensive vaginal lesions, was not associated with major complications, and outcome was favorable.