Standing lateral thoracotomy in horses: indications, complications, and outcomes.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the indications for, complications arising from, and outcome of horses that had standing lateral thoracotomy for pleural or pericardial disease.

STUDY DESIGN:

Case series.

ANIMALS:

Horses (n=16).

METHODS:

Medical records (January 1990-December 2008) of sedated standing horses that had lateral thoracotomy were reviewed. Clinical and surgical findings, perioperative and short-term complications were recorded. Long-term (>6 months) outcome was determined through telephone conversations with owners and veterinarians.

RESULTS:

Mean (±SD) horse age was 6.6±5.3 years (range, 1-15 years). Thoracotomy was most commonly for treatment of recurrent or chronic pleural infection (94%). Anaerobic bacteria were frequently isolated from pleural effusion associated with pleuropneumonia (63%). Right lateral intercostal thoracotomy was performed in 13 horses (82%); intercostal muscle myectomy in 5 horses; and rib resection in 1. Perioperative complications were hemipneumothorax (2 horses) and short-term complications included cellulitis and abscessation of the thoracotomy site (6 horses). Fourteen (88%) horses survived to discharge and 46% of horses that survived returned to their previous level of athletic activity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lateral thoracotomy is well tolerated by standing sedated horses with minimal perioperative and short-term complications.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Standing lateral thoracotomy should be considered for the treatment of complicated pleuropneumonia in horses.

• Authors: Hugo Hilton, Monica Aleman, John Madigan, Jorge Nieto
• Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS (Vet Surg) Vol. 39 Issue 7 Pg. 847-55 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1532-950X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20673275 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Topics

• Animals
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Horse Diseases (surgery)
• Horses
• Male
• Pleural Diseases (surgery, veterinary)
• Pleural Effusion (surgery, veterinary)
• Pleuropneumonia (surgery, veterinary)
• Postoperative Complications (veterinary)
• Thoracic Wall (pathology, surgery)
• Thoracotomy (adverse effects, methods, veterinary)
• Treatment Outcome