Long-term results of surgical correction of persistent right aortic arch in dogs: 25 cases (1980-1995).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate long-term outcome of dogs with persistent right aortic arch that undergo surgical correction.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
25 dogs.


METHODS
Surgical correction consisted of ligation and division of the ligamentum arteriosum through a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy. Long-term (> 6 months after surgery) follow-up information was obtained by means of a telephone survey of owners (22 dogs) and by means of reevaluations by a veterinarian (3).


RESULTS
Median age at the time of surgical treatment was 12 weeks. Short-term (2 to 4 weeks after surgery) follow-up information was available for 14 dogs. Nine no longer regurgitated after eating, and 5 regurgitated infrequently. Follow-up esophagography (median time after surgery, 4 months) was performed in 13 dogs and revealed persistence of megaesophagus in all 13. At the time of long-term follow-up, 23 (92%) dogs no longer regurgitated after eating, and the remaining 2 (8%) had regurgitated less than once per week.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to previous reports, surgical correction of persistent right aortic arch resulted in complete alleviation of clinical signs in most dogs and an improvement in signs in the remaining dogs. Persistence of megaesophagus and regurgitation in the early postoperative period did not indicate a poor long-term outcome.
Muldoon
M M
MM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Birchard
S J
SJ
Ellison
G W
GW
D000818:Animals; D001015:Aortic Arch Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome