Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in cats: 34 cases (1991-2001).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether signalment, duration of hernia, clinical signs, contents of hernia, CBC and serum biochemical abnormalities, concurrent injuries, perioperative treatment and administration of analgesics, results of intraoperative anesthetic monitoring data, or level of training of the veterinarian performing the herniorrhaphy was associated with mortality rate after surgical repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in cats.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
34 cats.


METHODS
Review of medical records and a telephone follow-up with owners and referring veterinarians were performed.


RESULTS
Mean age of affected cats was 3.6 years; cats that survived to the time of discharge were significantly younger than cats that died or were euthanatized. Tachypnee was the most common clinical sign at hospital admission; cats that survived to the time of discharge had significantly higher respiratory rates than cats that died or were euthanatized after surgery. Postoperative complications developed in 50% of cats; tachypnea and dyspnea were most common. Mortality rate was not associated with duration of hernia or results of preoperative CBC and serum biochemical analyses, but was significantly associated with concurrent injuries. Mortality rate was not associated with hernia contents, intraoperative use of positive inotropes or corticosteroids, episodes of hypotension or severe hypoxia during anesthesia, or level of training of the veterinarian performing the surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Cats that are older or have low to mildly increased respiratory rates and concurrent injuries are more likely to die after surgical repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37901-1071, USA.
Chad W
CW
Schmiedt
Karen M
KM
Tobias
M A McCrackin
MA
Stevenson
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D002423:Cause of Death; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006549:Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome