Surgical approach and presence of preoperative pleural effusion impact thoracostomy tube usage in dogs and cats following thoracic surgery for suspected neoplasia

Carley Johnson, Janis Lapsley, Hunter Piegols, Laura Selmic

Background: This study investigates the impact of surgical approaches and the presence of preoperative pleural effusion on the usage of thoracostomy tubes in dogs and cats undergoing surgery for thoracic neoplasms. Surgical excision of thoracic neoplasms varies based on the affected tissue and may involve different approaches like lateral thoracotomy, median sternotomy, or rib resection, often necessitating thoracostomy tube placement to manage pleural space fluid and air postoperatively.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from August 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023, was conducted for dogs and cats that underwent thoracic surgeries with thoracostomy tubes for suspected neoplasia. Data collected included details on the type of surgical procedure, volume of fluid and air evacuated, duration of thoracostomy tube use, and length of hospitalization.

Results: The study included 62 dogs and 10 cats. Median sternotomy was associated with increased fluid evacuation, while rib resection was linked to increased air evacuation. Presence of preoperative pleural effusion correlated with greater fluid evacuation, prolonged thoracostomy tube placement, and extended hospital stays. Interestingly, cats had thoracostomy tubes in place longer than dogs, irrespective of similar evacuation rates.

Limitations: Being a retrospective study, it was susceptible to inaccuracies due to potential incomplete medical records and variations in surgical and postoperative management. The diverse diagnoses and small sample size also limited the assessment of other potentially influential factors.

Conclusions: Surgical approach and preoperative pleural effusion significantly influence the postoperative management involving thoracostomy tubes in dogs and cats, affecting both the duration of tube usage and length of hospitalization. These findings underscore the importance of considering these factors when planning and managing thoracic surgeries in veterinary patients. Further prospective studies are recommended to refine thoracostomy tube management protocols, particularly for cats, to avoid unnecessarily prolonged tube usage.

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