🔍 Key Findings
- Modified closed anal sacculectomy resulted in a local recurrence rate of only 2.2%, substantially lower than prior reports (18–50%).
- Postoperative complications occurred in 31.9% of dogs; most (93%) were minor, with dehiscence being the most common.
- Mean survival time in deceased dogs was 521 days; median was 388 days.
- Surgical technique included complete en bloc excision of the sac and duct with sphincter reconstruction, aiming to reduce seeding risk.
- Only one major complication resulted in euthanasia due to infection and dehiscence.
- Histologic margins were complete in 44.7% of dogs; lymphatic invasion was present in 31.9%, and vascular in 8.5%.
- Adjunctive chemotherapy was administered in 34% of dogs (mostly carboplatin); not standardized due to retrospective design.
- Routine rectal exam was key to diagnosis in 57.4% of dogs with no clinical signs, underscoring the importance of screening.
