title: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Extirpation of the Tracheobronchial Lymph Nodes in Dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a technique for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) extirpation of the tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLN), and to describe the quality of biopsy specimens obtained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Purpose-bred male hound-mix research dogs (n = 8).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were randomized to groups of left-sided or right-sided VATS approaches. One lung ventilation was used and TBLN dissection was achieved using a vessel-sealing device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TBLNs ipsilateral to the approach were successfully identified and removed thoracoscopically in 7 dogs. A 3-port technique was used in 6 dogs and 4 ports were used in 2 dogs. Observed complications included mild-moderate hemorrhage from the perinodal tissue controlled thoracoscopically (n = 2), inability to locate any TBLN (1), and difficulty achieving or maintaining one-lung ventilation (4). No other major complications occurred and all dogs recovered uneventfully. Median percentage surface area of the bisected lymph nodes affected by crush artifact was 20% (range, 0-40%). Areas of crush artifact were present in central (7/11) and peripheral (9/11) locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopic TBLN extirpation is a feasible technique in dogs with normal TBLN and may be useful for obtaining more detailed staging on microscopic disease status in oncologic patients with normal-sized TBLNs. Further study is warranted to determine the feasibility and limitations of this technique in clinical patients with overt lymphadenopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Steffey
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Philipp D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Mayhew
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Verena K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Affolter
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Joao H N
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001980:Bronchi; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000662:veterinary*; D014132:Trachea