Perineal hernia repair using a tunica vaginalis autograt in dogs

Abstract

Perineal herniorrhaphy using an autologous tunica vaginalis was performed in 19 intact male dogs presented at the Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. Fourteen dogs had unilateral perineal hernia (PH) and 5 dogs had bilateral PH. There were 22 hernias receiving tunica vaginalis autografting. Before PH repair, all dogs were castrated and the tunica vaginalis was harvested. The tunica vaginalis autografting alone was used for repairing 17 hernias that the hernial ring did not extend to ventral of the anus. For 5 hernias with a very large hernial ring or that extended to ventral of the anus, combination of the autografting and transposition of the internal obturator muscle (TIOM) was performed. The postoperative follow-up of 8.51 (±3.61) months found the success rates of 88.23% (15 hernias) of the hernias receiving the autografting alone and 100% (5 hernias) of those receiving the autografting combined with TIOM. At 3 months after surgery, 18 dogs had normal defecation while 1 dog had mild defecation difficulty. Reherniations occurred in 2 dogs and were repaired by resuturing. The grafts together with the adjacent tissues were biopsied for histopathological examination. The grafts were viable and no sign of graft rejection was observed. Postoperative complications were wound infection (3 dogs), wound dehiscence (2 dogs), and temporary sciatic nerve paresis (2 dogs). In conclusion, tunica vaginalis autografting is suitable for repairing the hernia with large hernial ring or thin pelvic diaphragm muscles that is not a candidate of the standard herniorrhaphy or transposition of the internal obturator muscle. Use of this technique in combination with transposition of the internal obturator muscle provides a better result of perineal herniorrhaphy.