Prepubic Minilaparotomy as the Surgical Approach in Treatment of Prostate Disorders in Dogs. A Cadaver Study

The aim of the study was to assess the prepubic minilaparotomy approach in the surgical treatment of prostatic disorders in dogs. The technique of a limited approach to the prostate was developed on the fresh cadavers of 14 intact adult male dogs, diversified in regard to size and body weight. The abdominal cavity was opened in midline, from the right-sided prepubic parapenile incision. The cut was limited to 7 cm. Afterwards, it was expanded by self-retaining retractors: Gelpi, Weislander, Finnochetto Baby, and Adson. Finnochetto Baby and Gelpi retractors used in pairs enabled an adequate exposition of the prostate in small dogs. The Finnochetto Baby retractor enabled an adequate exposition of the prostate in medium dogs and the Adson retractor - in large and giant dogs. The Weislander and Gelpi retractors used individually did not allow for sufficient access to the prostate in any group of the cadavers. Prepubic minilaparotomy can be a useful surgical approach in the treatment of prostate disorders in dogs. It can be used especially for minor surgical procedures, e.g. sampling of large tissue specimens for histopathological examination, partial prostatectomy, or treatment of intraparenchymal cavitary lesions.