34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

As poor fertility in broodmares is often caused by urine pooling, we aim to evaluate the results of urethroplasty performed in mares suffering from vesicovaginal reflux using a modification of the McKinnon-Beldon technique and prolonged catheterization of the urinary bladder.

Methods:

Records of 37 broodmares (2013-2023) were reviewed that had received urethral extensions using a modification of the McKinnon-Beldon technique of urethroplasty. A horizontal incision split the urethral fold into two shelves and was continued in dorsolateral direction. Further dissection created two flaps that could be apposed without tension. A mucosa-lined tunnel extending from the external urethral orifice towards caudal direction was created by suturing the right and left sides of the U-shaped incisions to each other, forming a Y-shaped, two to four layered suture line. The cranial aspect of the extension was covered with the dorsal shelf of the urethral fold and an urinary catheter was placed and maintained for 10 to 14 days.

Results:

4/ 37 mares had partial dehiscence of the sutured incision creating a hole in the urethral extension, each of which was located at the junction of the arms of the Y-shaped suture line. The hole in the urethral extension of 3 mares was closed successfully at a second surgery, but the hole in the extension of one mare was repaired unsuccessfully. This mare continued to suffer from vesicovaginal reflux.

Conclusions:

The modification of the McKinnon-Beldon technique of urethroplasty and postoperative management with a urinary catheter maintained for 10 to 14 days provided a good success.