Two young dogs underwent surgical management of a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) and developed chylothorax postoperatively. In both cases, the surgical procedure and anesthetic recovery were uncomplicated and routine. Following surgery, both patients appeared bright, alert, responsive, and previous signs of regurgitation had resolved. Dyspnea and tachypnea developed 1–2 days postoperatively in each patient, and chylous effusion was detected on thoracocentesis. For each case, a diagnosis of chylothorax was based on cytology and triglyceride concentrations of the aspirated pleural fluid. Similar protocols for monitoring were used in the treatment of each patient’s chylothorax. The duration and volume of chylous effusion production were closely monitored via routine thoracostomy tube aspiration. Both dogs rapidly progressed to recovery with no additional complications. With diligent monitoring, chylothorax secondary to surgical trauma can resolve in a rapid, uncomplicated manner.
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May/June 2014
Case Reports|
May 01 2014
Spontaneous Resolution of Postoperative Chylothorax Following Surgery for Persistent Right Aortic Arch in Two Dogs
Laura Barbur, DVM;
Laura Barbur, DVM
*
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (L.B., E.K.); Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, West Lafayette, IN (H.M.); and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Animal Emergency & Treatment Center, Grayslake, IL (S.B.).
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Heather Towle Millard, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA;
Heather Towle Millard, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (L.B., E.K.); Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, West Lafayette, IN (H.M.); and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Animal Emergency & Treatment Center, Grayslake, IL (S.B.).
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Steve Baker, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA;
Steve Baker, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (L.B., E.K.); Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, West Lafayette, IN (H.M.); and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Animal Emergency & Treatment Center, Grayslake, IL (S.B.).
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Emily Klocke, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Emily Klocke, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (L.B., E.K.); Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, West Lafayette, IN (H.M.); and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Animal Emergency & Treatment Center, Grayslake, IL (S.B.).
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2014) 50 (3): 209–215.
Citation
Laura Barbur, Heather Towle Millard, Steve Baker, Emily Klocke; Spontaneous Resolution of Postoperative Chylothorax Following Surgery for Persistent Right Aortic Arch in Two Dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 May 2014; 50 (3): 209–215. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5994
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