Modified balloon-catheter-assisted closed anal sacculectomy in the dog: Description of surgical technique.

The aim of this report is to describe a modified Foley catheter technique for anal sacculectomy. A standard approach used for a closed anal sacculectomy was performed. The duct of the anal sac was then freed from the surrounding tissues and ligated. The duct was transected lateral to the ligature and a purse string suture placed. The anal sac balloon catheter was inserted through the duct into the anal sac and the purse string was tightened. Once inflated, the catheter was then used as a handle to facilitate manipulation and dissection of the anal sac from surrounding tissues. This technique permits circumferential dissection of the anal sac with good visualization, accuracy, and control, especially at the medial portion of the anal sac adjacent to the rectum. This technique can be considered for application to cases of chronic anal sacculitis and small anal gland adenocarcinomas.