title: Short-term outcome following partial or complete liver lobectomy with a commercially prepared self-ligating loop in companion animals: 29 cases (2009-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical use of a self-ligating loop (SLL) for partial or complete liver lobectomy in a variety of companion animal species.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 dogs, 2 cats, 4 rabbits, and 1 ferret with partial or complete liver lobectomy performed with an SLL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of companion animal patients that underwent partial or complete liver lobectomy with an SLL between 2009 and 2012 at the Angell Animal Medical Center were reviewed, and signalment, intraoperative and postoperative complications, histologic diagnosis, hospital discharge (yes or no), time to hospital discharge, and short-term survival rate were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained through evaluation of medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  28 of 29 (97%) patients were discharged from the hospital and survived at least 5 days after discharge. Of the 29 patients, 3 underwent 2 liver lobectomies. During 4 of 32 (12.5%) lobectomies, mild intraoperative bleeding occurred on the cut surface of the liver after transection. No transection performed with ≥ 2 SLLs resulted in notable intraoperative bleeding. One of 29 (3.4%) patients had evidence of postoperative hemoabdomen, which was successfully treated with a single packed RBC transfusion. Expansion of the SLL diameter from 8 to 15 cm was accomplished to allow for resection of larger masses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of an SLL for partial or complete liver lobectomy in a variety of companion animal species was a safe technique and was associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. Expansion of the ligature loop diameter and use of multiple SLLs may be necessary for larger lobectomies.
authors.affiliation: Angell Animal Medical Center, 350 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Sue A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Casale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits