title: Long-term outcome of dogs treated surgically for idiopathic chylothorax: 11 cases (1995-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine long-term outcome of dogs treated surgically for idiopathic chylothorax.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 client-owned dogs with idiopathic chylothorax that underwent surgery between November 1995 and April 2009 and had been followed up for at least 4 months after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, physical examination findings, results of clinicopathologic testing, radiographic findings, surgical procedures, postoperative complications, outcome, and cause of death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A median sternotomy was performed in 10 dogs, and a right intercostal thoracotomy (fifth and ninth intercostal spaces) was performed in 1. Thoracic duct ligation and subtotal pericardectomy were performed in all dogs. Thoracic omentalization was performed in 8 dogs at the time of surgery, passive pleuroperitoneal shunting was performed in 2 dogs, and pleurodesis was performed in 1 dog. Lung lobectomy was performed because of lung consolidation in 2 dogs and lung lobe torsion in another 2 dogs at the time of the initial surgery. Median disease-free interval did not differ significantly between dogs that did and did not undergo lung lobectomy. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 dogs. Median follow-up time was 46 months. Eight of 11 dogs were free from clinical signs 5 years after surgery. Two of the 3 dogs that did not undergo thoracic omentalization had a recurrence of clinical signs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that the prognosis for dogs surgically treated for idiopathic chylothorax was fair and that lung lobectomy was not a negative prognostic indicator.
authors: Clinique Veterinaire du Dr Bardet, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
authors: Carlos Adrega
authors: CA
authors: da Silva
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Monnet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*