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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Factors affecting recovery after bile duct surgery in 60 dogs

By Mehler, Stephen J et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2004·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Variables associated with outcome in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary surgery: 60 cases (1988-2002).

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A group of 60 dogs underwent surgery for serious bile duct issues, including conditions like necrotizing cholecystitis (a severe inflammation of the gallbladder) and pancreatitis. After surgery, 72% of the dogs survived, but those with complications like septic bile peritonitis or high creatinine levels had a higher chance of not making it. The most common surgeries performed were cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) and cholecystoduodenostomy (connecting the gallbladder to the intestine). Dogs that received good supportive care during recovery had better outcomes.

People also search for: dog bile duct surgery recovery · necrotizing cholecystitis in dogs · pancreatitis treatment for dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical findings and define clinical variables associated with outcome in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Sixty dogs that had extrahepatic biliary tract surgery. RESULTS: Primary diagnoses included necrotizing cholecystitis (36 dogs, 60%), pancreatitis (12 dogs, 20%), neoplasia (5 dogs, 8%), trauma (4 dogs, 7%), and gallbladder rupture from cholelithiasis without necrotizing cholecystitis (3 dogs, 5%). Bile peritonitis occurred in 19 (53%) dogs with necrotizing cholecystitis, 4 dogs with trauma, and 3 dogs with cholelithiasis without evidence of necrotizing cholecystitis. Cholecystectomy (37 dogs, 62%) and cholecystoduodenostomy (14 dogs, 23%) were the 2 most commonly performed procedures. Median hospitalization for survivors was 5 days (range, 1-15 days). There were 43 surviving dogs (72%) and 17 nonsurvivors (28%, 4 died, 13 euthanatized). Presence of septic bile peritonitis (P=.038), elevation in serum creatinine concentration (P=.003), prolonged partial thromboplastin times (PTTs; P=.003), and lower postoperative mean arterial pressures (P=.0001) were significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Extrahepatic biliary surgery is associated with high mortality and a relatively long hospitalization time for survivors. Cholecystectomy and cholecystoduodenostomy were the most common surgical procedures to treat the 4 major biliary problems (necrotizing cholecystitis, pancreatitis, neoplasia, and trauma) observed in this cohort of dogs. The relatively high mortality rate likely reflects the underlying diseases and their effects on the animal (septic bile peritonitis, higher serum creatinine, prolonged PTT, and lower postoperative mean arterial pressure) rather than complications of surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Septic bile peritonitis, preoperative elevated creatinine concentration, and immediate postoperative hypotension in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary tract surgery are associated with a poor clinical outcome. Adequate supportive care and monitoring in the perioperative period is critical to improve survival of dogs with extrahepatic biliary disease.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15659021/