Long-term outcome of female dogs treated with static hydraulic urethral sphincter for urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence

The purpose of the study was to report the postoperative outcome, complications and long-term follow-up of the use of a static hydraulic urethral sphincter (SHUS) for the management of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) in female dogs. Medical records were reviewed to extract information on long-term (>365days) outcome data. Telephone owner questionnaire was performed to assess post-operative urinary continence scores (scale 1 to 10, where 10 is complete continence) and the presence and frequency of complications. Twenty female dogs were included. Mean (±SD) time to follow-up was 1205.1 (±627.4) days. Median continence score/10 (range) was 3.5 (2-6) preoperatively, and 9.0 (7-10) at the last follow up. Median continence score was significantly higher at all-time points post-operatively compared to before surgery (P<0.001). Complete continence was achieved in 90% of bitches. Minor complications occurred in 13 bitches and included dysuria (8), bacterial cystitis (8), longer urination time (10), incisional seroma (5), urinary retention (3), hematuria (2) and pain when urinating (2). Major complications occurred in one dog (SHUS removed 28 months after placement). Continence scores were sustainably improved in the long-term. Complications were mostly minor. Urinary tract infection (UTI) were the most common but resolved with conventional antibiotic treatment.