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Cortez et al: Presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of cats undergoing surgical treatment of ectopic ureters
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Ectopic ureters in cats are rare, but most are extramural and bilateral.
  • Surgical techniques used included ureteroneocystostomy (UNC), neoureterostomy (NU), nephroureterectomy, and cystoscopic laser ablation (CLA).
  • All cats showed improvement in urinary continence postoperatively, with 11/12 achieving complete resolution.
  • Major complications were rare; one cat developed uroabdomen requiring revision surgery.
  • Diagnostic imaging was effective, with abdominal ultrasound diagnosing 8/10 and CT 3/3 cases.
  • Short- and long-term complications included urethral spasms, UTIs, stranguria, and rectal prolapse; all were manageable.
  • CLA was successful in 2 cats and is noted as a first-time described technique in feline ectopic ureter cases.
  • Median postoperative follow-up was 340 days, supporting good long-term outcomes.

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← Articles

Cortez et al: Presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of cats undergoing surgical treatment of ectopic ureters
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Ectopic ureters in cats are rare, but most are extramural and bilateral.
  • Surgical techniques used included ureteroneocystostomy (UNC), neoureterostomy (NU), nephroureterectomy, and cystoscopic laser ablation (CLA).
  • All cats showed improvement in urinary continence postoperatively, with 11/12 achieving complete resolution.
  • Major complications were rare; one cat developed uroabdomen requiring revision surgery.
  • Diagnostic imaging was effective, with abdominal ultrasound diagnosing 8/10 and CT 3/3 cases.
  • Short- and long-term complications included urethral spasms, UTIs, stranguria, and rectal prolapse; all were manageable.
  • CLA was successful in 2 cats and is noted as a first-time described technique in feline ectopic ureter cases.
  • Median postoperative follow-up was 340 days, supporting good long-term outcomes.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Cortez 2024 et al., on feline ectopic ureters, which surgical technique was used most frequently?

A. Nephroureterectomy
B. Neoureterostomy
C. Ureteroneocystostomy (UNC)
D. Cystoscopic stenting
E. Cystotomy with ureterotomy

Answer: Ureteroneocystostomy (UNC)

Explanation: Eight of twelve cats underwent UNC, making it the most commonly used surgical technique.
In Cortez 2024 et al., on feline ectopic ureters, what was the most common anatomical classification of ectopic ureters in cats?

A. Intramural
B. Extramural
C. Duplex
D. Mixed
E. Urethral

Answer: Extramural

Explanation: Eight cats had extramural ureters, supporting the finding that extramural presentation is more common in cats.
In Cortez 2024 et al., on feline ectopic ureters, what was the postoperative urinary continence outcome in this cohort?

A. Only 25% regained full continence
B. Most cats had worsened incontinence
C. One-third had temporary improvement
D. All cats had improved continence, 11/12 had full resolution
E. No cats had any improvement

Answer: All cats had improved continence, 11/12 had full resolution

Explanation: The study found universal improvement in continence, with complete resolution in 11 of 12 cases.
In Cortez 2024 et al., on feline ectopic ureters, what was the most common postoperative complication following surgical correction of ectopic ureters?

A. Uroabdomen
B. Urinary incontinence
C. Urethral obstruction
D. Urethral spasm
E. No complications

Answer: Urinary incontinence

Explanation: Although most cats improved, transient urinary incontinence was the most frequent complication noted.
In Cortez 2024 et al., on feline ectopic ureters, what diagnostic imaging modality was successful in all cases in which it was used?

A. Cystoscopy
B. Abdominal ultrasound
C. Contrast fluoroscopy
D. Computed tomography (CT)
E. Retrograde urethrogram

Answer: Computed tomography (CT)

Explanation: CT diagnosed ectopic ureters in 3/3 cases, making it the most consistently accurate modality in this cohort.

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