Uroabdomen

UROABDOMEN (Uroperitoneum)
  • Is a condition where there is accumulation of urine in the peritoneal cavity due to leakage of urine from the kidney, ureter, bladder or proximal urethra.
  • Rupture of the bladder is the most common cause
  • Also due to blunt or penetrating trauma (eg. Automobile accidents, Penetrating injury from the fracture fragments of pelvic bone)
  • Remember that if the rupture of the bladder is small or on its dorsum, leakage will happen only when the bladder is fully distended. In such cases, the dog may void urine normally

Diagnosis

  • Suspicion from history of trauma
  • Peritoneocentesis –   smell of urine in the fluid and the creatinine level will be greater than that of serum
  • From physical examination findings
  • Confirmatory diagnosis – Plain/Contrast radiography and Ultrasonography

Treatment

Medical management

  • If the animal is hyperkalemic or uremic, medical treatment should be initiated
  • Peritoneal dialysis is preferred in such situations

Surgical treatment

  • Repair trauma of the urethra by anastamosis
  • If the urethra is not completely transected, it can be allowed to heal over a urinary catheter
  • Rupture of the ureter can be corrected either by anastamosis or by reimplantation into the bladder
  • Rupture of the bladder (mostly at the apex) can be corrected by apposition of the edges.
Last modified: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 9:36 AM