Description of thoracoscopy and associated short-term cardiovascular and pulmonary effects in healthy cattle.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the optimal thoracoscopic approach to the bovine pleural cavity and evaluate the short-term effects of thoracoscopy on cardiovascular and pulmonary function of healthy cattle.


METHODS
6 healthy adult Holstein cows (12 hemithoraxes).


METHODS
For each cow, thoracoscopy was performed in both the left and right hemithoraxes with a 24-hour interval between procedures. Cows were sedated and restrained in a standing position for each thoracoscopic examination. Examination of each hemithorax lasted for 30 minutes. Arterial blood gas variables, heart rate, and respiratory rate were assessed at predetermined times before, during, and after the procedures to monitor cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Thoracic ultrasonography was performed immediately and at 24 hours and 1 week after each thorascopic examination to evaluate the extent of residual pneumothorax.


RESULTS
Insertion of the laparoscope into the pleural cavity at the ninth intercostal space 15 cm ventral to the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae provided optimal visibility of structures in both the left and right hemithoraxes. Most structures of the pleural cavity were equally visible from both sides except the esophagus and the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve, which were best observed in the left hemithorax, and the pericardium, which was best observed in the right hemithorax. Mild increases in heart and respiratory rates and moderate decreases in arterial oxygen saturation and Pao2 were detected during the procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Standing thoracoscopy was well tolerated in healthy adult dairy cattle and needs to be evaluated in cattle with pulmonary disease.
Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.
Hélène
H
Michaux
Sylvain
S
Nichols
Marie
M
Babkine
David
D
Francoz
D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography