Comparison of lateral and ventral approaches of tubecystostomy for the management of urethral obstruction in goats

Eighteen male goats with complete urethral obstruction, and intact urinary bladder and urethra were used for evaluation of tube cystostomy by two different approaches. The goats were randomly divided into group A (9 animals where tube cystostomy was performed through a ventral/paramedian approach) group B (9 animals, when a lateral approach was used under lumbosacral spinal analgesia). The techniques were compared and evaluated on the basis of intra-operative and post-operative observations. The median time taken for surgery in ventral/paramedian and lateral approach was 23 min and 27 min, respectively. Insertion of Foley's catheter into the urinary bladder was time consuming in the lateral approach than in the ventral approach. Mild pain and swelling at the surgical site was noticed in all the animals of both groups. No urine leakage was seen from the site of incision in any of the animals. The Foley's catheter was well tolerated by all the animals in both groups. The success rate of ventral and lateral approach was 88.89% and 63%, respectively. It was concluded that paramedian/ventral approach of placement of Foley's catheter for the management of urethral obstruction was a better technique, with fewer complications than the lateral approach.