SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF VAGINAL HYPERPLASIA IN BITCHES BY BÜHNER SUTURE: A CASE SERIES

roestral-oestral phase of the cycle, that can protrude through the vulvar lips (1). Although not commonly observed, it represents a clinical condition needing veterinary intervention because the protruding mass could be vulnerable for trauma, ulceration, inflammation and possibly self-mutilation, other than interfere with natural mating. Treatment of vaginal hyperplasia includes pharmacological or surgical approaches. Pharmacological treatments aim to induce ovulation and shorten estrus, counteract the action of estrogens or to hasten the shrinkage of the mass (2). Surgical treatment includes mass amputation or closure of the vulva after mass reposition. The present study refers to the surgical management of vaginal hyperplasia in bitches by Bühner vulvar suture. A total of 14 bitches, 1-7 years old, belonging to several medium and large-sized breeds, refereed to Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo. All bitches showed vaginal hyperplasia and protrusion of the entire circumference of the vaginal mucosa (Type 3), without ischemic or necrotic areas. According to the estrous cycle, all the bitches were in proestral-estral phase. Under general anesthesia, prolapsed mass was cleaned with 50% glucose solution to reduce oedema, and repositioned with a gentle retropulsion; using a Gerlach needle and a sterile vaginal suture tape, Bühner suture was applied as described by Matteuzzi (3) on the vulvar labia maintaining an opening of about one finger in diameter to allow urination. After surgery, all the animals received antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment for one week. At the follow-up, none of the bitches showed recurrence during the current cycle, proving the efficacy of the Bühner suture. To prevent the possible recurrence of vaginal hyperplasia at the subsequent estrus, all bitches underwent ovariectomy 2 months later, when Bühner suture was removed. In conclusion, the Bühner suture proved to be useful for the conservative treatment of vaginal hyperplasia in medium or large-sized bitches, as alternative to the pharmacological therapy. However, this approach should be considered only for cases in which the prolapsed mass does not show trauma, ulceration, ischemic or necrotic areas.