Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival and risks after adrenal gland tumor surgery in 41 dogs
By Schwartz, Pamela et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Animal Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of prognostic factors in the surgical treatment of adrenal gland tumors in dogs: 41 cases (1999-2005).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 41 dogs with adrenal gland tumors underwent surgery to remove the tumors. Unfortunately, 9 of these dogs did not survive the surgery, and those that did had a median survival time of about 690 days. Factors like weakness, low platelet counts, and high levels of certain blood substances before surgery were linked to shorter survival times. Additionally, complications such as pancreatitis and kidney failure after surgery also affected how long the dogs lived. While the surgery can be risky, dogs that survive the initial recovery often do well in the long term.
People also search for: dog adrenal gland tumor surgery · dog lethargy before surgery · adrenalectomy survival rate in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative predictors of survival and assess intraoperative and postoperative complications and survival rates for dogs undergoing adrenalectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 41 dogs that underwent adrenalectomy. PROCEDURES: Records were reviewed to collect data regarding preoperative variables. Intraoperative and postoperative variables were also recorded. Variables were evaluated for association with survival duration via log-rank analysis for categoric variables and by use of Cox proportional hazards. Median survival times were calculated by use of Kaplan-Meier life table analysis. RESULTS: 9 (22.0%) dogs did not survive to discharge. Intraoperative mortality rate was 4.8%. Overall Kaplan-Meier median survival time was 690 days. Variables significantly associated with shorter survival times included preoperative weakness or lethargy, thrombocytopenia, increased BUN concentration, increased partial thromboplastin time (PTT), increased aspartate transaminase (AST) activity, hypokalemia, intraoperative hemorrhage, and concurrent nephrectomy. Postoperative variables significantly associated with shorter survival times included pancreatitis and renal failure. In multivariate analysis, preoperative hypokalemia, preoperative increased BUN concentration, and concurrent nephrectomy were significantly associated with a shorter survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A high mortality rate was associated with adrenalectomy in dogs; however, those that survived until discharge from a hospital had long survival times. Preoperative factors associated with a shorter survival time were weakness or lethargy, thrombocytopenia, increased BUN concentration, increased PTT, increased AST activity, and hypokalemia. Studies are needed to evaluate how treatment for these factors may affect or change outcome after adrenalectomy. Dogs with adrenal masses that require concurrent nephrectomy and cause intraoperative hemorrhage have a guarded prognosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18167113/