Published study results can be found on VIN here and at PubMed here

Study Start Date: 12/01/2006
Study End Date: 12/01/2010

Minimally-invasive laser ablation for management of intramural ureteral ectopia in dogs

Ectopic ureters result from a developmental defect that occurs during embryogenesis resulting in an abnormal anatomical entry point of the distal ureters into the bladder neck. This condition can either occur in isolation or in conjunction with other congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract.

The most common clinical sign observed is urinary incontinence. These patients also often present with urinary tract infections. If left untreated other complications can also develop such as hydronephrosis (progressive distension and destruction of the kidney) and pyelonephritis (infection of the kidney).

Traditionally surgical management has involved transabdominal repositioning of the ureters within the trigone (neck) area of the bladder to their normal anatomical location. The post-operative incontinence rate after this procedure has been reported as 42 -78%.

Recently a new minimally invasive technique has been developed allowing laser ablation of the tunnels that the abnormal ureters form within the wall of the urethra. Visualization and access for this technique is performed via cystoscopy. This has been performed on a 16 clinical cases thus far with encouraging results.

We would therefore like to initiate a prospective study directly comparing the new minimally invasive technique to a historical surgical control, to see if there is any difference in post-operative continence rates, level of post-operative urinary infections and parameters of pain in the first week post-intervention. In doing so we hope to determine whether there is a therapeutic advantage to this technique or if there is a significant decrease in post-operative pain.

Additional information about this project may be found in the recent VIN Rounds presented by Dr. Berent.

Study Design:
Prospective

Sample Size:
15 dogs

Study Endpoints:
15 female dogs with 6 month follow-up after laser ablation of ureteral ectopia.

Inclusion criteria:

1. Female dogs
2. History of incontinence
3. Diagnosis of uni- or bilateral ureteral ectopia
4. Urine culture negative at the time of procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Male dogs
2. Absence of clinical signs
3. Positive urine culture
4. Previous surgical/endourological procedures

Study Controls:
Historical controls

Samples:
No samples will be submitted

Study Restrictions:
Patients will need to be presented to University of Pennsylvania for the procedure and re-evaluation. Owners will need to sign an informed consent form.

Costs/Reimbursements:
The entire procedure cost is covered so the owner needs to arrange to travel to the University of Pennsylvania, but there are no hospital costs.

Full Disclosure information:

• The study is funded by a grant from Waltham Pet Nutrition.
• The investigators do not have any conflict of interest.
• The study will be published if results are negative.
• The study will be reported on VIN.
• The authors will acknowledge VIN if the study is published.

This document was revised on: 1/13/2015