Ultrasonographic and Cystographic Evaluations of Urinary Bladder Defects Managed with Composite Colo-Peritoneal Grafts in Dogs

Abstract

Cystosonography and cystography are among the appropriate imaging modalities employed in studying the morphological integrity of the urinary bladder in animals. Evaluation of the urinary bladder architecture following autologous composite colo-peritoneal pedicle grafts in the surgical repair of experimental urinary bladder defects was carried out in two dogs. The dorsal aspect of the urinary bladder served as the recipient site, while the seromuscular colonic pedicle flap of the descending colon along with free peritoneal sheath formed a composite tissue (donor tissue). Predetermined 2 cm x 4 cm dimension of urinary bladder defect was created on the dorsum of the urinary bladder and was patched with harvested 3 cm x 5 cm composite colo-peritoneal pedicle flap. All operations were aseptically and humanely conducted. The gross anatomical evaluation of the urinary bladder architecture was performed by ultrasonography and contrast radiography of the repaired urinary bladder. Post-surgical cystosonographic assessments on day 8 showed thickened urinary bladder wall at the point of the graft, which decreased markedly on day 21. Cystographic evaluation revealed gradual transition of the urinary bladder architecture at the point of the graft with clear delineation and minimal blurring at week 2 post-operation, which gradually disappeared at weeks 10 and 14. The cystosonographic and cystographic evaluations demonstrated evidence of advanced healing and well-preserved urinary bladder architecture with no evidence of leaks. The imaging modalities are adequately diagnostic to assess urinary bladder repairs following its management with composite colo-peritoneal graft in dogs.