A Single-Center Retrospective Study of Surgical Complications and Outcomes in Feline Ureterolithiasis

Abstract

Data from 117 cats (143 ureters) diagnosed with ureteral calculus obstr uction from 2003 to 2018 at the Department of Nephro-Urology, Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed for surgical complications and outcomes. The incidence of surgical complications was lowest for ureterotomy (4.0%), followed by ureteroneocystostomy (27.1%), ureteral stenting (34.6%), and subcutaneous ureteral bypass (37.5%). All techniques resulted in a significant reduction in serum creatinine. The overall perioperative mortality was 1.8% in 109 cats that received radical surgery and was lower than previously reported. Preoperative percutaneous nephrostomy was useful to stabilize severely azotemic, high-anesthetic risk patients and to predict renal functional recover y after deobstruction. Because cats with ureteral calculi present with var ying degrees of severity and signs of obstruction, the surgical approach should be individualized and optimized for each patient. Treatment is likely to be most successful if performed by a skilled surgeon who is proficient in all surgical techniques.