Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft tissue surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures involving internal organs, the body wall, masses or tumors, and hernias or defects. In other words, these procedures include everything not related to bones, joints, muscles, or the neurologic system. At the Animal Clinic of Sterling Heights we perform all types of soft tissue surgeries, ranging from minimally invasive procedures to simple mass removals to complex surgical reconstructions. In addition, our surgeons can perform a wide variety of emergency surgeries related to internal bleeding, intestinal obstructions, bloat, bite wounds, and others things that like to occur at any time!

Two of the most important parts of successful soft tissue surgery are the presurgical workup and the postoperative recovery period. Medical conditions such as heart murmurs, liver disease, and other health problems are evaluated so any potential risk or complication is communicated to the owner as well as minimized to the best of our ability. Diagnostics provide a complete picture of how serious the condition is, and what your pet’s prognosis will be.

The following sections is a summary of the more common procedures that we perform. If you do not see a procedure listed, you are welcome to call for more information. With our experience team of surgeons, it is rare to find a surgical problem that we have not treated.

Abdominal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery

Various conditions in the spleen, liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, other internal organs, as well as body wall hernias are common areas of focus for abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery. Often pets will first undergo diagnostics such as ultrasound, or radiographs for an initial diagnosis. Your pet’s prognosis and possible complications will be throughly discussed prior to
proceeding with surgery.

Examples: gastrointestinal foreign body removal, masses of the spleen, liver biopsies, adrenal tumor removal, liver lobectomies for tumors or abscesses, pancreatic tumors, common bile duct obstruction, gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy), tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, perineal hernias, diaphragmatic hernias, gastric dilatation-volvulus (gastropexy), and many others.

Urogenital Surgery

Surgical problems within the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra can be seen as a consultation or an emergency that presents rather suddenly. Animals may be sick (not eating or drinking), vomiting, or not urinating. Alternatively, a pet may be urinating too often or have blood in the urine. Diagnostics such as radiographs or ultrasound may be recommended, and additional imaging
could be requested if your pet is older or if cancer is suspected.

Examples: bladder stone removal (cystotomy), bladder tumor removal (partial cystectomy), perineal urethrostomy (PU) and more.

Ear Surgery

Surgery of the ear canal (often called total ear canal ablation or TECA) is a common procedure for pets with severe allergies and infections, or cats with polyps in their ear(s). Tumors may also occur in or around the ear canal, necessitating removal.

Examples: total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-BO), ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO)

Colorectal and Perineal Surgery

These types of surgeries typically encompass the perineal region (under the tail, around the anus). Both cats and dogs have anal sacs which can becomes infected or have tumors that arise in this location. Other conditions, such as perianal fistulas or megacolon in cats, are treated with medications and other dietary management techniques in lieu of surgery. Our surgeons are familiar with these conditions and can discuss with you additional diagnostics.

Examples: perineal hernias, colonic or rectal tumor/polyp removal, anal sac removal for infection or tumors, and others

Head and Neck Surgery

This area of surgery can involve the nose, larynx (voice box), thyroid, esophagus, and other structures found around the head and neck. One of the most frequent surgeries performed is airway surgery for brachycephalic dogs and cats, which are animals with a “smushed” in nose – English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pugs, Persians, and others. Other surgeries can involve the eyes, jaw, or tongue. If in doubt, our surgical coordinator can better direct you or ask a surgeon to review the case, to see if it appropriate for a surgeon. Often advanced imaging is recommended for these types of surgeries since it is difficult to look inside the nose and throat, and it is important to know if certain nerves and blood vessels are involved in the affected area. Some of these cases are emergencies and must be first stabilized by the critical care service. Any type of surgery around the airway requires close postoperative monitoring to ensure a smooth recovery from anesthesia, and avoidance of complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Examples: brachycephalic airway surgery (stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, laryngeal saccules), maxillectomy, mandibulectomy, thyroid tumors, laryngeal paralysis (unilateral arytenoid lateralization), tracheostomy, pinnectomy, and many others.