Harry W. Boothe, DVM, MS, DACVS

Surgical implications of the following conditions are discussed: pulmonary neoplasia, spontaneous pneumothorax, and pyothorax. Pulmonary lobectomy (partial and complete) and postoperative management recommendations are included.

The choice of surgical approach depends largely on the type of access needed for the thoracic surgery. Intercostal thoracotomy and median sternotomy are the two most commonly performed approaches in small animals. Be certain to clip and prepare a large enough area to anticipate placement of a thoracostomy tube and the potential need to extend the incision.

Complications associated with intestinal surgical procedures can be reduced by attentiveness to the principles of intestinal surgery and appropriate use of ancillary procedures such as serosal patching.

Disorders of the upper airway occur commonly in brachycephalic breeds of dogs. Chief client complaints include excessive respiratory noise, reduced exercise tolerance, heat intolerance, and dyspnea.

Intestinal resection and anastomosis is a relatively commonly performed surgical procedure in small animals. Observing surgical principles and utilizing selected ancillary techniques help to reduce complications.

Surgical procedures performed on the spleen include biopsy, partial splenectomy, and total splenectomy. Techniques employed for each procedure varies with the clinical presentation and, to some degree, surgeon preference. Splenic disease represents an important source of morbidity and mortality in aging dogs.