Background: Surgeries performed on the gastrointestinal system represent a significant caseload among small animal surgeries. Colostomy aims to temporarily or permanently divert the gastrointestinal tract but it is not commonly performed in veterinary medicine. Information regarding such procedures is scarce and the surgical technique is poorly described. Thus, the main objective of this study is to report a modified temporary colostomy performed in a dog after the development of rectocutaneous fistulas in the perineum as a surgical complication of unilateral perineal herniorrhaphy.
Case description: An 8-year-old male Lhasa Apso dog was attended due to the appearance of rectocutaneous fistulas with fecal content draining, as a complication of a recent perineal herniorrhaphy. A modified temporary colostomy was created by positioning the intestinal segment parallel to the lateral abdominal wall as a rescue procedure to allow healing of the perineum for later definitive repair of the hernia.
Conclusion: The modified temporary colostomy allowed healing of the perineum by temporarily diverting the flow of fecal material.
Keywords: Canine; Complications; Intestinal bypass; Intestine surgery; Stoma.