Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Outcomes of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia surgery in 90 cats
By De Bastiani, Deborah et al.·Published in Open veterinary journal·2023·Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Complications and outcome of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia repair without post-operative chest drain: Retrospective study in 90 cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with traumatic diaphragmatic hernias underwent surgery to repair the condition without using a chest drain. The study found that only a small number of cats experienced complications during and after the surgery, with a survival rate of 93.3%. The researchers noted that older cats or those with other health issues were more likely to face complications. Overall, the method used for removing air during surgery appeared to be effective, especially for healthier cats.
People also search for: cat diaphragmatic hernia surgery · cat surgery complications · cat recovery after surgery · cat breathing problems after surgery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic herniorraphy is the treatment of choice for traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH). Several methods have been described for the removal of residual air and fluid during and after surgery, such as the insertion of chest drains, intercostal thoracentesis, and transdiaphragmatic thoracentesis. However, there are no indications regarding the most useful technique and the impact that choice of technique could have in the immediate postoperative period. AIM: To evaluate the development of complications and outcomes associated with the use of intraoperative transdiaphragmatic thoracentesis in cats undergoing diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy for TDH. METHODS: Medical records of cats treated for acute and chronic TDH between 2010 and 2019 were reviewed. Cats were included if intraoperative pneumothorax was treated with transdiaphragmatic thoracentesis, without the use of intercostal chest drain. Outcome, intra- and post-operative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 3.3% and 12.4%, respectively. Development of postoperative pneumothorax was associated with the presence of comorbidities (= 0046). The overall survival rate was 93.3%. Long-term survival had a significant association with the presence of comorbidities (= 0045), if the procedure was performed as an emergency (= 0041) or in older cats (= 0011). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative transdiaphragmatic thoracentesis could be considered an effective method for the removal of residual air after surgery for TDH, because it ensures a good outcome for the patient, with low development of complications, especially for uncomplicated cases. The presence of comorbidities, the need to perform a surgical procedure in emergency, and the age of the patient can be considered factors influencing the development of complications. Critical patient selection, based on assessment of potential risk factors for complications is warranted to understand which patient will benefit from thoracostomy tube placement.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37545705/