title: Bovine thoracoscopy: surgical technique and normal anatomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a surgical technique for thoracoscopy and report visible anatomy within the thoracic cavity of standing cattle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Each cow had four thoracoscopic examinations. Initially, the left hemithorax was examined after passive lung collapse, then again 24 hours later after CO2 insufflation. The right hemithorax was examined 24 hours later after passive lung collapse and again 24 hours later after CO2 insufflation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CO2 insufflation did not significantly improve visibility within the pleural space. Collapsed lung, aorta, esophagus, diaphragm, and azygos vein were readily viewed; however, the pericardial region was not consistently visible. Minor laceration of the lung occurred in 1 cow with adhesions, otherwise there were no intra- or postoperative complications. All cows recovered without signs of discomfort. No local swelling or emphysema occurred at the portals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopy can be safely performed on healthy standing cattle.
authors.affiliation: Large Animal Clinic for Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scharner
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brehm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011187:Posture; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology