Transurethral endoscopic‐guided intraluminal closure of multiple urinary bladder tears in a standing mare

Abstract

SummaryThis case report is the first published description of a minimally invasive transurethral endoscopic‐guided approach to repair multiple bladder tears in a standing mare. The mare was diagnosed with a ruptured bladder 48 h post‐partum based on clinical signs, transabdominal ultrasonography, serum and peritoneal fluid analysis, and cystoscopy. Under sedation and epidural anaesthesia and with cystoscopic visualisation, two bladder tears were sutured using an articulating endoscopic suturing device. The device was placed transurethrally and a simple continuous pattern of 2‐0 braided lactomer used to close two full‐thickness tears. The surgery time was 50 min and no complications were encountered. Cystoscopy 60 days post‐operatively confirmed complete healing of the tears and no evidence of urolithiasis.