Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Video-assisted surgery to treat collapsed lung and lung bullae in dogs
By Case, J Brad et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2015·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Pulmonary Bullae in Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 12 dogs with breathing problems due to spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and pulmonary bullae (air-filled sacs in the lungs) underwent a special surgery called video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). In many cases, the surgeons had to switch to a more invasive surgery because they couldn't find the source of the problem. Out of the dogs that had to switch surgeries, 83% had successful outcomes, while 50% of those who completed VATS without switching also did well. This suggests that while VATS can be helpful, some dogs may need more extensive surgery for the best results.
People also search for: dog breathing problems surgery · spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs · video-assisted thoracic surgery for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the operative findings and clinical outcome in dogs undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 12) with spontaneous pneumothorax and/or pulmonary bullae. METHODS: Medical records (2008-2013) were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, surgical and histopathologic findings, and outcome in 12 dogs that had VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae. In particular, conversion to median sternotomy and surgical success were evaluated. RESULTS: Twelve dogs had initial VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax and/or pulmonary bullae. Conversion to median sternotomy because of inability to identify a parenchymal lesion/leak was necessary in 7 (58%) dogs. VATS without conversion to median sternotomy was performed in 6 (50%) dogs. Successful surgical outcomes occurred in 5 (83%) dogs that had conversion to median sternotomy, and in 3 (50%) dogs that had VATS without conversion to median sternotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Exploratory thoracoscopy was associated with a high rate of conversion to median sternotomy because of inability to identify leaking pulmonary lesions in dogs with spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae. Failure to convert to a median sternotomy may be associated with recurrent or persistent pneumothorax.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25307452/