Hemidiaphragmatic reconstruction with a transversus abdominis muscle flap after resection of a solitary diaphragmatic mesothelioma in a dog.
METHODS
A 2-year-old Siberian Husky was evaluated because of a 2-week history of coughing and gagging and decreased appetite and activity level.


RESULTS
Radiography, surgery, and immunohistochemical examination revealed a solitary sclerosing mesothelioma extending from the left thoracic diaphragmatic surface that was adherent to the pericardium and the caudal mediastinum.


RESULTS
The tumor was resected along with most of the left hemidiaphragm, and the left transversus abdominis muscle was used to reconstruct the diaphragm. The 13th rib formed the base of the muscle flap. The muscle flap was transposed into the defect so that the mesothelium-lined surface faced the thoracic cavity and the deep aspect of the muscle formed the abdominal surface of the diaphragm. To minimize risk of adhesions, the exposed raw aspect of the abdominal surface was covered with porcine small intestinal submucosa. Recovery was uncomplicated, and the dog's appetite and activity level soon returned to normal. Evaluation 54 days after surgery revealed 2 subcutaneous masses on the thorax and masses in the liver and both kidneys; histologic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed metastasis of the original tumor. The dog was euthanatized.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemidiaphragmatic reconstruction with a transversus abdominis muscle flap after resection of a diaphragmatic tumor was successful. The muscle flap was easily harvested and transposed into the diaphragmatic defect.
Liptak
Julius M
JM
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Brebner
Nicholas S
NS
D000818:Animals; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*