Scientific Presentation Abstracts

A retrospective investigation of the outcome and complicationsof thoracic duct (TD) ligation combined with pericardiectomy for dogswith idiopathic chylothorax was performed.Materials and methods: All dogs presented for surgical treatment ofidiopathic chylothorax betweenMay 2005 and July 2006 were enrolled in thestudy. A diagnosis of chylothorax was made on the basis of the presence ofpleural fluid containing cholesterol:triglyceride ratio of lower than 1.Oneml kg1 of corn oil was administered per os 2 hours before surgery toimprove TD visualization. A right-sided 11th intercostal thoracotomy wasperformed and the TD was ligated with silk ligatures. A right-sided 4thintercostal thoracotomy was performed for partial pericardiectomy A chestdrain was placed through the right 7th intercostal space and all pleural fluidwas removed until drain removal 48 hours postoperatively Patients weredischarged after 72hrs and fed on a low fat diet. Clinical re-assessment wasperformed 4 weeks after surgery and included an evaluation of respiratoryfunction and pleural fluid accumulation by chest radiography. Patients werefollowed up by phone contact for a minimum period of six months unlesspresented before then for investigation of further respiratory signs.Results: Six dogs were enrolled in the study, 4 males and 2 females. Breedsincluded Cairn Terrier (2), Bichon Frise (1), German Shepherd (1),Greyhound (1) and Siberian Husky (1). Median weight and age were 141(6–45) kg and 3 (2–6) years. Signs at admission included dyspnea (6),anorexia (3), lethargy (2), and weight loss (1). The presence of chyle wasconfirmed by thoracentesis and cholesterol:triglyceride ratio o1. Medianvolumes of 0.44 (0–16.67) ml kg1 48h1 of fluid were removed from thedrains postoperatively Assessment at 4 weeks showed 5 dogs were clinicallynormal and had no radiographic signs of pleural fluid. 1 dog hadradiographic signs of modest pleural fluid accumulation but was asymptomatic;re-assessment at 3 months showed similar radiographic and clinicalfindings.Conclusions: This study confirms that the success rate for the surgicalmanagement of chylothorax is markedly improved by combing pericardiectomywith TD ligation. This approach may be considered as ‘first line’approach to the management of chylothorax in the dog