EXPRESS: Surgical management of type I atresia ani using Heineke-Mikulicz-like anoplasty: a case series of eleven kittens (2022-2025).

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Type I atresia ani is rare in cats and there is limited published data on the surgical management and prognosis of this condition in feline patients. Appropriate surgical planning requires thorough examination of the rectum, anus, and perineum to accurately diagnose atresia ani and rule out the presence of a rectovaginal or rectourethral fistula. Type I atresia may be treated with balloon dilatation or bougienage but recurrence may occur and several procedures may be required before complete resolution of the stenosis. The objective of this retrospective case series was to describe, for the first time, the clinical application and postoperative outcomes of a Heineke-Mikulicz-like anoplasty technique in kittens with type I atresia ani. The surgical technique was adapted from the Heineke-Mikulicz anoplasty technique described in people. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Eleven cats with a mean age of 12.3 weeks (8-20 weeks) were included in this study. Heineke-Mikulicz-like anoplasty was performed in all cases without intraoperative complications. Major postoperative complications occurred in one case (1/11, 9%), with wound dehiscence two days after surgery. However, complete healing was achieved following revision surgery. At long-term follow-up over 13.6 months (6-24 months) no recurrence was reported in 11/11 (100%) cases. While permanent fecal incontinence was reported in 1/11 (9%) cat, long-term outcomes were excellent in 9/11 (81%) cats.These data suggest that Heineke-Mikulicz-like anoplasty is appropriate for the management of type I atresia ani in cats.