Thoracoscopic‐assisted removal of a retained surgical swab following open pericardiectomy in a dog

Abstract

A nine-year-old labrador retriever presented for routine postoperative thoracic radiographs following open pericardiectomy via median sternotomy. The surgery was performed six weeks previously to treat restrictive pericarditis. The dog had made a good recovery and on presentation had normal vital parameters; however, radiographic examination of the thoracic cavity revealed a retained surgical swab. Thoracoscopic-assisted removal of the retained surgical swab was performed successfully without complication. Thoracoscopy offers a minimally invasive option for exploration of the thoracic cavity and facilitates removal of foreign material with reduced morbidity.