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Downey et al: Evaluation of long‐term outcome after lung lobectomy for canine non‐neoplastic pulmonary consolidation via thoracoscopic or thoracoscopic‐assisted surgery in 12 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Thoracoscopic (TL) or thoracoscopic-assisted (TAL) lobectomy was successfully performed in 12 dogs with non-neoplastic pulmonary consolidation (PC).
  • 44% (4/9) of TL cases were converted to open thoracotomy due to adhesions or poor visualization—higher than rates for neoplastic lobectomies.
  • OLV was successful in 7/9 TL dogs; unsuccessful attempts were managed with intermittent ventilation, mostly in brachycephalic breeds.
  • Median hospital stay was 3 days; 91.7% (11/12) survived to discharge, and 100% of survivors showed no recurrence at median 24-month follow-up.
  • Complications were mostly minor: pneumothorax (2), minor hemorrhage (3), dehiscence (1), and 1 fatality due to BOAS complications.
  • Histopathology showed infectious pneumonia in 10 dogs, and in 4 cases, foreign body migration was suspected as the underlying cause.
  • Median surgical time for TL was 90 minutes; conversion correlated with longer symptom duration (median 90 vs. 7 days).
  • Postoperative recovery was excellent in all surviving dogs, with one case of persistent cough attributed to concurrent heart disease.

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← Articles

Downey et al: Evaluation of long‐term outcome after lung lobectomy for canine non‐neoplastic pulmonary consolidation via thoracoscopic or thoracoscopic‐assisted surgery in 12 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Thoracoscopic (TL) or thoracoscopic-assisted (TAL) lobectomy was successfully performed in 12 dogs with non-neoplastic pulmonary consolidation (PC).
  • 44% (4/9) of TL cases were converted to open thoracotomy due to adhesions or poor visualization—higher than rates for neoplastic lobectomies.
  • OLV was successful in 7/9 TL dogs; unsuccessful attempts were managed with intermittent ventilation, mostly in brachycephalic breeds.
  • Median hospital stay was 3 days; 91.7% (11/12) survived to discharge, and 100% of survivors showed no recurrence at median 24-month follow-up.
  • Complications were mostly minor: pneumothorax (2), minor hemorrhage (3), dehiscence (1), and 1 fatality due to BOAS complications.
  • Histopathology showed infectious pneumonia in 10 dogs, and in 4 cases, foreign body migration was suspected as the underlying cause.
  • Median surgical time for TL was 90 minutes; conversion correlated with longer symptom duration (median 90 vs. 7 days).
  • Postoperative recovery was excellent in all surviving dogs, with one case of persistent cough attributed to concurrent heart disease.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Downey 2023 et al., on thoracoscopic lobectomy, what factor was associated with conversion to open thoracotomy?

A. Use of double-lumen tube
B. High ASA score
C. Foreign body diagnosis
D. Longer duration of clinical signs
E. Lobe size >5 cm

Answer: Longer duration of clinical signs

Explanation: Conversion was associated with median symptom duration of 90 vs. 7 days.
In Downey 2023 et al., on thoracoscopic lobectomy, what complication occurred in the dog that did not survive?

A. Staple line dehiscence
B. Respiratory arrest due to BOAS
C. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
D. Septic peritonitis
E. Pulmonary thromboembolism

Answer: Respiratory arrest due to BOAS

Explanation: The only fatality occurred in a brachycephalic dog with respiratory compromise under anesthesia.
In Downey 2023 et al., on thoracoscopic lobectomy, what was the long-term outcome for dogs that survived to discharge?

A. All developed chronic cough
B. Two had recurrent pneumonia
C. One required revision surgery
D. One had mild persistent cough, others had no recurrence
E. None survived long-term

Answer: One had mild persistent cough, others had no recurrence

Explanation: One dog had persistent cough due to cardiac disease; others had no recurrence over a median 24 months.
In Downey 2023 et al., on thoracoscopic lobectomy in dogs, what was the most common histopathologic diagnosis?

A. Fibrosis
B. Granulomatous inflammation
C. Neoplasia
D. Infectious pneumonia
E. Pulmonary edema

Answer: Infectious pneumonia

Explanation: 10 of 12 dogs had pulmonary consolidation caused by infectious pneumonia.
In Downey 2023 et al., on thoracoscopic lobectomy, what was the rate of survival to discharge?

A. 66.7%
B. 75%
C. 83.3%
D. 91.7%
E. 100%

Answer: 91.7%

Explanation: 11 of 12 dogs survived to discharge (91.7%).

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