Abstract

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 a commonly performed in veterinary medicine. Information regarding such procedures are 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.

Key words: Canine, Complications, Intestinal bypass, Intestine surgery, Stoma