Retrospective comparison of short-term outcomes following thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy for surgical correction of persistent right aortic arch in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate thoracoscopy as a treatment for dogs with persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) and to compare intra- and postoperative complications and short-term outcomes of dogs that underwent thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy for treatment of PRAA. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 30 dogs (24 client-owned and 6 shelter-owned) that had undergone thoracoscopy or thoracotomy for treatment of PPRA between 1998 and 2015. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and data were compared between dogs that underwent thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy. For dogs that underwent thoracoscopy, linear regression was performed to compare duration of surgery with sequential order of thoracoscopies. RESULTS Dogs underwent a thoracotomy alone (n = 15), thoracoscopy alone (10), or thoracoscopy converted to thoracotomy (5) for treatment of PRAA. Median duration of surgery was not markedly different among groups, nor was the incidence of postoperative complications or median amount of time a thoracostomy tube was maintained in place. Median duration of hospitalization was 1 day (range, 0.5 to 2 days) for dogs that underwent thoracoscopy and 2 days (range, 0.5 to 22 days) for dogs that underwent thoracotomy or in which thoracoscopy was converted to a thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Thoracoscopy was found to be an acceptable method for treating dogs with PRAA and was not associated with higher morbidity or mortality rates, compared with thoracotomy.

Tissue blood flow to a pedicled jejunal autograft in the dog: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the viability of a pedicled jejunal autograft after ligation of up to 3 jejunal arteries. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS: Three adult dogs. METHODS: Dogs were instrumented for measurement of hemodynamic parameters. Two segments of jejunum with 4 arcadial vessels were isolated from the abdomen in each dog. An individual ligature was secured around the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd jejunal artery. The 1st jejunal artery was maintained to serve as the sole blood supply to the pedicled segment of jejunum. Colored microspheres were used to evaluate the effect of each ligation on tissue blood flow. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure (P = .709) and heart rate (P = .905) did not differ between ligation groups. Tissue blood flow to a pedicled segment of jejunum was unchanged after ligation of 3 jejunal arteries. CONCLUSION: Tissue blood flow of an isolated jejunal segment maintained in normal position remains unaffected, when supplied by a single jejunal artery, after ligation of up to 3 concurrent jejunal arteries.

Perioperative morbidity and outcome of esophageal surgery in dogs and cats: 72 cases (1993-2013).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate perioperative morbidity and outcome in dogs and cats undergoing esophageal surgery. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 63 client-owned dogs and 9 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs and cats that underwent esophageal surgery were reviewed for information on signalment, history, results of preoperative diagnostic testing, condition treated, details of surgery, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications. Long-term follow-up data were obtained via veterinarian and client telephone conversations. The relationship between complications and survival to hospital discharge was evaluated by means of regression analysis. RESULTS The most common indication for surgical intervention was an esophageal foreign body in dogs (50/63 [79%]) and esophageal stricture in cats (3/9). Complications were documented in 54% (34/63) of dogs and 3 of 9 cats. The most common immediate postoperative complications were respiratory in nature (9 dogs, 1 cat). Partial esophagectomy and resection with anastomosis were significantly associated with the development of immediate postoperative complications in dogs. The most common delayed postoperative complications were persistent regurgitation (7 dogs) and esophageal stricture formation (3 dogs, 1 cat). For dogs, a mass lesion and increasing lesion size were significantly associated with the development of delayed postoperative complications. Six dogs (10%) and 1 cat died or were euthanized prior to discharge, and pneumomediastinum and leukopenia were negative prognostic factors for dogs being discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study suggested that the short-term prognosis for dogs and cats that survive surgery for treatment of esophageal lesions is favorable, with 90% of patients discharged from the hospital (57/63 dogs; 8/9 cats). However, dogs treated for more extensive esophageal lesions as well as those undergoing esophagectomy or resection and anastomosis were more likely to develop postoperative complications.

Complications and outcomes following rectal pull-through surgery in dogs with rectal masses: 74 cases (2000-2013).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of and factors associated with complications following rectal pull-through (RPT) surgery and the outcome for dogs with rectal tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 74 dogs with rectal masses. PROCEDURES: Information regarding signalment, history, diagnostic testing, type of rectal disease, surgical details, and postoperative complications, treatments, and outcomes was obtained from medical records and follow-up communications. Survival times were calculated. Descriptive statistics were generated. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of various variables on the development of postsurgical complications and survival time. RESULTS: 58 (78.4%) dogs developed postsurgical complications, the most common of which was fecal incontinence with 42 (56.8%) dogs affected, of which 23 (54.8%) developed permanent incontinence. Other complications included diarrhea (n = 32), tenesmus (23), stricture formation (16), rectal bleeding (8), constipation (7), dehiscence (6), and infection (4). The rectal tumor recurred in 10 dogs. The median survival time was 1,150 days for all dogs and 726 days for dogs with malignant tumors. The 2 most common rectal masses were rectal carcinoma and rectal carcinoma in situ, and the dogs with these tumors had median survival times of 696 and 1,006 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with rectal diseases that underwent RPT surgery had a high incidence of complications; however, those dogs had good local tumor control and survival times. The risk and impact of postsurgical complications on the quality of life and oncological outcomes should be discussed with owners before RPT surgery is performed in dogs with rectal masses.