Video‐assisted thoracic surgery for the management of pyothorax in dogs: 14 cases

Abstract

VATS allows minimally invasive treatment of uncomplicated canine pyothorax. Preoperative thoracic CT may help identify candidates for VATS among dogs with pyothorax.

Complications and outcomes of thoracoscopic‐assisted lung lobectomy in dogs

“…Three-perspective radiographs were obtained prior to surgery in 25 dogs (83.3%). Twenty dogs (80%) had evidence of a discrete pulmonary nodule on thoracic radiographs with other findings including diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern (5), pleural effusion (2), collapsed lung lobe (2), left atrial enlargement (1), sternal lymph node enlargement (1), suspected bulla or bronchial cyst (1), and a suspected mediastinal mass (1). Thoracic CT was performed in all dogs and revealed a discrete pulmonary mass in 26 dogs (86.7%) with the mass isolated to the left cranial (6), left caudal (6), right caudal (6), right cranial (4), right middle (2), and accessory (2) lung lobes.…”

“…Conversion to OT was required in 6 dogs (20%). Reasons for conversion were reported in 5 of 6 procedures (Table 2) and included adhesions (2), inability to mobilize the affected lobe through the mini-thoracotomy site (2), desaturation during positioning of the stapler at the hilus (1), and not reported (1). Ventricular premature complexes were noted in 1 dog in which conversion was elected due to inability to mobilize the affected lobe through the mini-thoracotomy site.…”

“…Canine total thoracoscopic lung lobectomy has been described previously for the resection of primary and secondary lung lobe tumors, pulmonary bullae, and focal pneumonia. [1][2][3][4][5][6] One-lung ventilation (OLV) is typically used to visualize the lesion and hilus appropriately and safely. [3][4][5] OLV can be induced with the use of bronchial blockers, usually requiring endoscopic or fluoroscopic guidance.…”

Pyothorax induced by an intrathoracic foreign body in a miniature dachshund: Migration of a popsicle stick from the stomach

“…A median or lateral thoracotomy may be performed depending on whether the lesion is unilateral or bilateral. Recently, thoracoscopy was introduced as a minimally invasive method [ 21 , 25 ]. Although it is advantageous for minimization of the complications associated with conventional thoracotomy, which include high morbidity, wound complications, a long recovery time and postoperative pain, its use is still limited due to the increased operating time, need for special equipment, difficulty of the technique and inadequate visibility in the presence of extensive adhesions [ 18 , 21 ].…”

“…Although it is advantageous for minimization of the complications associated with conventional thoracotomy, which include high morbidity, wound complications, a long recovery time and postoperative pain, its use is still limited due to the increased operating time, need for special equipment, difficulty of the technique and inadequate visibility in the presence of extensive adhesions [ 18 , 21 ]. There is little evidence that thoracoscopy is more effective than conventional thoracotomy for pyothorax [ 7 , 25 , 28 ].…”