Abstract

Objectives: This retrospective study compared the outcomes of three surgical methods: traditional technique, internal obturator muscle flap, and sacroischial sling (TT, IOMF, and SS) for the treatment of canine perineal hernias. Postoperative complications associated with each technique were also compared.
Methods: 87 dogs (86 males, 1 female) with perineal hernia were included in this study. Dogs were grouped based on the surgical technique used: TT (30 sites in 24 dogs), IOMF (30 sites in 26 dogs), and SS (53 sites in 37 dogs).
Results: Surgical times were 36.8 ± 9.7 min for TT, 50.2 ± 13.6 min for IOMF, and 31.9 ± 11.53 min for SS. Both TT and SS were significantly faster than IOMF (p < 0.01). A comparative analysis of surgical outcomes revealed differing success and failure rates. The success rate of the IOMF group was higher (99.3%) compared to the TT group (80%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.254). In contrast, the SS group demonstrated a statistically significantly greater success rate (98.1%) than the TT group (p = 0.008), indicating that it may be a more successful approach for perineal hernia correction in dogs. The TT group had the highest rate of temporary stranguria (20.8%) and required colopexy and cystopexy most frequently (16.7%). The SS group had the lowest rate of urinary incontinence (2.7%) and external anal sphincter muscle paresis (2.7%). However, this group exhibited the highest incidence of temporary dyschezia (8.1%) and a slightly elevated incidence of skin dehiscence. Wound complications were similar across all groups. The IOMF group had a higher incidence of external anal sphincter muscle paresis (26.9%) compared to both TT and SS. The complication rate of the SS group (7.0%, 13/185 events) was significantly lower than both TT (18.3%, 22/120; p < 0.01) and IOMF (18.5%, 24/130; p < 0.01) groups and required fewer additional procedures, indicating fewer overall complications.
Conclusion: Overall, the SS technique is a practical, low-complication alternative for perineal hernia correction, offering results comparable to those of IOMF and superior to those of TT.

Key words: Dogs; IOMF; leader line; perineal hernia; surgical complication