Prognostic value of rectal dilatation and histological features of the rectal wall in dogs with perineal hernia - a cohort and case-control study.

Rectal wall fibrosis and dilatation severity predict surgical outcome and recurrence in canine perineal hernia.

This combined case-control and cohort study investigated histopathological changes in the rectal wall of dogs with perineal hernia (PH) and their association with surgical outcomes. Sixty-five dogs with surgically corrected PH were evaluated for rectal dilatation (RD) severity via digital rectal examination at three timepoints: preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 60 days postoperatively. Full-thickness rectal wall biopsies from PH and control dogs were analyzed for inflammation, fibrosis, elastic fiber morphology, and myenteric ganglia number. Results demonstrated significantly elevated inflammation and fibrosis scores in PH dogs compared to controls, with more regular elastic fiber orientation in controls. High RD scores at immediate postoperative and 60-day timepoints correlated with negative outcomes and recurrence. Fibrosis score also predicted recurrence. Notably, myenteric ganglia counts were similar between groups, suggesting neuromuscular dysfunction rather than structural neuronal deficiency in PH. These findings suggest that histological assessment of rectal wall pathology may provide valuable prognostic information for veterinary surgeons counseling clients regarding surgical outcomes and recurrence risk in perineal hernia cases.

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