Direct renal pelvicocystostomy using tube cystoplasty in a cat with ureteral obstruction

We describe a surgical technique to re-establish urine flow in a 3-year-old Scottish Fold cat. A ureteral stent and subcutaneous urinary bypass failed after their placement due to rapid mineralisation of the lumen. Direct pelvicocystostomy anastomosis using a modified tube cystoplasty technique was performed. A wide rectangular apex-based full-thickness flap was created from the ventral aspect of the urinary bladder, which was sutured longitudinally to form a large-diameter tube. The resulting tube-shaped portion of the bladder was then directly anastomosed to the renal pelvis. No major postoperative complications were observed and no further recurrence of obstruction of the upper urinary tract was noted during follow-up. The cat died at home 481 days postoperatively from an undetermined cause. A pelvicocystostomy technique can be considered as an alternative salvage surgical technique for obstructive ureteral disease in cats.