Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs with idiopathic chylothorax treated by thoracic duct ligation
By Carobbi, B et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·Dick White Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in 14 dogs by ligation of the thoracic duct and partial pericardiectomy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 dogs with breathing problems due to idiopathic chylothorax (a condition where lymph fluid builds up in the chest) underwent surgery to ligate the thoracic duct and partially remove the pericardium (the heart's outer layer). After four weeks, 11 of the dogs were doing well with no signs of fluid buildup, while two had minor fluid accumulation but were still healthy. One dog faced a major complication that needed another surgery. Overall, most dogs showed significant improvement and were back to normal within a few months.
People also search for: dog breathing problems treatment · chylothorax surgery for dogs · dog pleural effusion recovery
Abstract
The outcome and complications associated with thoracic duct ligation combined with partial pericardiectomy in 14 dogs with idiopathic chylothorax were investigated retrospectively. Nine of the dogs were treated in the uk and five in Italy. All of them were reassessed clinically four weeks after surgery and the respiratory function and any pleural fluid accumulation were evaluated; they were followed up by telephone contact for at least six months. Eleven of the dogs were clinically normal and had no radiographic signs of pleural effusion when reassessed after four weeks. Two showed radiographic signs of a minor accumulation of pleural fluid but were clinically normal; when reassessed after three months they showed similar radiographic signs and clinical findings; but after four months there was no evidence of pleural effusion. One dog had a major complication that required a second surgical intervention.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19103616/