Multi-Institutional, Retrospective Evaluation of Risk Factors Predicting Complications Associated With Perineal Urethrostomy in Cats With Urethral Obstruction (2009-2019): 140 Cases.

PU complications are common but minor; no preoperative risk factors identified.

This multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 140 cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy (PU) for urethral obstruction between 2009-2019 across four university teaching hospitals. The primary objective was to identify risk factors associated with postoperative complications. Postoperative complications occurring within 90 days of discharge were documented in 53 cats (37.8%), with hypotension (n=15), urinary tract infection (n=11), and urethral stricture (n=5) being most common. Additional adverse outcomes included two euthanizations and one intraoperative death. Despite comprehensive data collection including signalment, clinical parameters (PCV, total protein, creatinine, BUN), operative variables (surgical and anesthesia times), and catheterization status, no statistically significant risk factors were identified for complication development or survival to hospital discharge. The findings suggest that complications following PU in cats are common but typically minor in nature, and that current preoperative and intraoperative parameters may have limited predictive value for identifying at-risk patients. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes and additional variable analysis may be needed to identify clinically relevant risk stratification factors.

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