Minimally invasive splenectomy is associated with a low perioperative complication rate and short operative time in cats

OBJECTIVE

To report the perioperative outcome and complications in cats undergoing minimally invasive splenectomy.

ANIMALS

17 client-owned cats.

METHODS

Perioperative data were collected from cats undergoing minimally invasive splenectomy from September 2010 to June 2023. Data included history, signalment, preoperative examination and diagnostic testing results, operative technique and time, perioperative outcomes, complications, hospitalization duration, histopathological diagnosis, and outcome.

RESULTS

13 spayed females and 4 neutered males were included, with a median age of 144 months (48 to 196 months). Seven cats underwent total laparoscopic splenectomy (TLS), with 1 cat requiring conversion from TLS to laparoscopic-assisted splenectomy (LAS) due to splenomegaly and an additional cat requiring conversion from TLS to open splenectomy due to uncontrollable splenic capsular hemorrhage. Ten cats underwent LAS, with 1 cat requiring conversion to open splenectomy due to splenomegaly. Additional procedures were performed in 13 cats, with the most common being liver biopsy in 10 cats. Median operative times were 50 minutes (45 to 90 minutes) for TLS and 35 minutes (25 to 80 minutes) for LAS. An intraoperative complication occurred in 1 cat. All but 1 cat survived to discharge. Median follow-up time was 234 days (18 to 1,761 days), with 15 of 16 cats confirmed alive at 30 days and 9 of 16 cats alive at 180 days postoperatively.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Minimally invasive splenectomy in this cohort of cats was associated with short operative times and a low perioperative complication rate. Veterinary surgeons may consider minimally invasive splenectomy as an efficient and feasible technique in the treatment of splenomegaly or modestly sized splenic masses for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in cats.

Computed tomographic features of double aortic arch in six dogs

Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare, congenital anomaly in small animals, resulting in a complete vascular ring encircling the esophagus and trachea, and subsequent compression of these organs. Few studies have reported utilizing CT angiography (CTA) for diagnosing DAA in dogs; thus, the imaging features are currently lacking in the literature. The objectives of this retrospective, multicenter, descriptive case series were to report the clinical and CTA characteristics of DAA in surgically treated cases. Medical records and CTA images were reviewed. Six juvenile dogs met the inclusion criteria (median age: 4.2 months; range: 2-5 months). The most common clinical signs included chronic regurgitation (100%), decreased body condition (67%), and coughing (50%). Common CTA features of DAA included a dominant left aortic arch (median diameter: 8.1 mm) and minor right aortic arch (median diameter: 4.3 mm; 83%), an aberrant right subclavian artery arising directly from the right aortic arch (83%), segmental esophageal constriction (100%), and variable degrees of dilation cranial to the heart base, and marked tracheal luminal compression (median percent change: -55%; 100%) and leftward curvature of the trachea at the level of the bifurcation of the aortic arches (100%). All dogs underwent successful surgical correction with only minor postoperative complications. Due to the similarity of clinical and imaging characteristics described to that of other forms of vascular ring anomalies (VRA), CTA is vital for the specific diagnosis of DAA in dogs.

Single-Port Laparoscopic Treatment and Outcome of Dogs with Ovarian Remnant Syndrome: 13 Cases (2010-2018)

Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is a condition resulting from incomplete removal of ovarian tissue during ovariectomy and/or ovariohysterectomy. Single-port laparoscopy (SPL) is an alternative to ventral midline laparotomy for treatment of ORS. Medical records of 13 client-owned female dogs who underwent SPL for the treatment of ORS were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate surgical technique and outcome. Dogs who had undergone a previous attempt at open ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy were included. Major intraoperative complications did not occur and conversion to open laparotomy was not required. In 1 dog, an SPL + 1 technique was used, in which an additional port was placed cranial to the single-port device to aid in dissection and tissue manipulation. Median surgical time was 45 min (range, 30-90 min). Clinical signs related to estrus had resolved in 11 of 13 dogs with a median follow-up time of 18 mo. Two of 13 dogs were lost to follow-up at 3 mo postoperatively; however, signs of estrus had resolved at time of last follow-up. SPL treatment for ORS was feasible and successful in this cohort of dogs. Reduced surgical time was found in this study compared with previous reports investigating multiple-port laparoscopic treatment of ORS.

Vascular ring anomalies in cats: 20 cases (2000-2018)

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical characteristics, types of vascular ring anomalies (VRA), operative findings, complications, and survival after surgical treatment of cats with VRA.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, multi-institutional case series.

ANIMALS

Client- or shelter-owned cats presenting to academic, referral veterinary institutions.

METHODS

Medical records of cats with VRA that underwent surgical treatment were reviewed. Signalment, relevant medical history, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, surgical findings, complications, and survival were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty cats with VRA were included. Vascular ring anomalies were most commonly (75% [15/20]) diagnosed in cats less than 1 year old, with no breed or sex predilection. Regurgitation was the most common clinical sign, present in 18 of 20 (90%) cats. A persistent right aortic arch was diagnosed in 17 of 20 (85%) cats, with concurrent aberrant left subclavian artery in four of the cats. Surgical treatment was associated with survival to discharge in 18 of 20 (90%) cats. Persistent clinical signs were reported in nine of 13 (69%) cats, and radiographic evidence of megaesophagus persisted in four of 13 (31%) cats, with a median follow-up of 275 days after discharge.

CONCLUSION

Persistent right aortic arch was the most commonly diagnosed VRA in cats in this series, although multiple anomalies were observed. Surgical treatment of VRA in cats was associated with a high survival to discharge, although persistence of clinical signs and megaesophagus was noted in 69% and 31% of the cats, respectively.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Surgical treatment of VRA in cats is associated with a high survival rate; however, persistence of clinical signs is an expected outcome.