Management of Vaginal Hyperplasia in Bitches by Bühner Suture

SIMPLE SUMMARY: During the proestral–estral phase of the canine cycle, estrogens may cause exaggerated vaginal hyperplasia that can protrude through the vulvar lips. The present study aims to describe the management of vaginal hyperplasia in bitches by Bühner vulvar suture. Fourteen bitches with a complete protrusion of vaginal mucosa underwent general anesthesia for the gentle reduction of the prolapsed tissue and the application of the vulvar suture, using a Gerlach needle and a sterile vaginal suture tape; a minimal vulvar opening was maintained to allow urination. The technique proved to be useful in preventing the recurrence of the protrusion during the current estrus cycle; the Bühner suture was removed two months later, along with ovariectomy. According to the results obtained, Bühner suture is useful for the conservative treatment of vaginal hyperplasia in medium- and large-sized dogs, without any signs of trauma or ulceration of the prolapsed tissues. ABSTRACT: Vaginal hyperplasia in bitch is an exaggerated response of the vaginal mucosa to estrogens during the proestral–estral phase of the cycle that can protrude through the vulvar lips. The present study refers to the management of vaginal hyperplasia in bitches by Bühner vulvar suture. Fourteen private-owners animals were refereed for spontaneous vaginal hyperplasia and complete protrusion of the mucosa, without ischemic or necrotic areas, which occurred during the proestral–estral phase. Under general anesthesia, prolapsed mass was cleaned with 50% glucose solution to reduce oedema and gently repositioned; the Bühner suture was applied using a Gerlach needle and a sterile vaginal suture tape, maintaining a minimal opening to allow urination in order to avoid possible recurrence in the same estrus. None of the bitches showed recurrence during the current cycle, proving the effectiveness of the Bühner suture. To prevent the possible recurrence of vaginal hyperplasia at the subsequent estrus, all the bitches underwent an ovariectomy 2 months later, when the 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. However, this approach should be considered only for cases in which the prolapsed mass does not show trauma, ulceration, ischemic or necrotic areas.