Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery and diagnosis of traumatic bile peritonitis in dogs and cats
By McAlexander, Heath W et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2024·School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic and surgical treatment for traumatic bile peritonitis in dogs and cats.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 13 dogs and 4 cats were treated for traumatic bile peritonitis, a serious condition where bile leaks into the abdominal cavity after an injury. Most pets showed signs of increased bilirubin levels, indicating liver issues, and underwent surgery to repair the ruptured bile ducts. The most common surgeries included repairing the common bile duct in dogs and removing the gallbladder in cats. Remarkably, 11 out of 13 dogs and all the cats survived their surgeries and were discharged from the hospital, with a low chance of recurrence.
People also search for: dog bile peritonitis treatment · cat gallbladder surgery recovery · signs of bile duct injury in pets
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe short-term outcomes of dogs and cats undergoing surgery for traumatic bile peritonitis. ANIMALS: 13 dogs and 4 cats. METHODS: Multi-institutional, retrospective study. Medical records from 6 institutions were reviewed for cases of traumatic bile peritonitis between 2006 and 2022. Clinical presentation, additional injuries, surgical treatment, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Trauma occurred a median of 2 (range, 1 to 22) and 4 (range, 1 to 22) days prior to presentation in dogs and cats, respectively. Total bilirubin was increased in 11 of 13 dogs and 2 of 4 cats. Rupture occurred at the common bile duct (CBD) in 10 dogs and 1 cat, gallbladder in 3 dogs, cystic duct in 2 cats, and hepatic duct in 1 dog and 1 cat. The most common surgeries were cholecystoduodenostomy and CBD repair in dogs and cholecystectomy in cats. Eleven of 13 dogs and all cats survived to hospital discharge (88.2% overall survival). Median follow-up in surviving dogs and cats was 35 days (range, 14 to 401) and 30 days (range, 14 to 90), respectively. One dog that underwent cholecystectomy experienced recurrent bile peritonitis 20 days postoperatively. Short-term survival following surgical treatment of traumatic bile peritonitis was excellent and recurrence appears uncommon. The most frequent site of rupture was the CBD in dogs and the cystic duct in cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Measurement of peritoneal bilirubin should be considered in dogs and cats with peritoneal effusion following trauma. Surgeons should be prepared to identify and address ruptures in locations other than the gallbladder.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38569535/