En bloc ligation of the thoracic duct in twelve dogs with idiopathic chylothorax
Viehoff, F.W.; Stokhof, A.A.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 128(9): 278-283
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 12769035 Document Number: 560103
Twelve dogs with idiopathic chylothorax were treated by en bloc ligation of the thoracic duct. Six dogs recovered completely. Minimal follow-up in this group was 12 months. Five dogs were euthanized within 5 months of surgery because of persisting liquothorax: two with chylous and three with non-chylous effusions. One dog was euthanized 2 months after surgery because of a recurrence of dyspnoea. It is concluded that the results are comparable with those of a previously described surgical treatment; however, the technique described here is less complicated because it does not require mesenteric lymphangiography.