In this retrospective study from a referral practice in England, the medical records of 14 dogs that had undergone transthoracic esophagotomy for foreign body retrieval were reviewed to determine the associated complications and outcome. The mean ageof the variably-sized dogs was 5 years. In 13 cases, the owners had observed ingestion of the foreign body. A lateral thoracic radiograph was diagnostic for the condition, and endoscopy failed to remove or advance the foreign object in all cases. Bones were the most common (11 cases) ingested object. Left lateral thoracotomy was performed in all cases—most frequently (eight cases) at the eighth intercostal space. Five dogs had an esophageal perforation. A longitudinal incision was made overlying the foreign body, and the object was removed by gentle manipulation. The esophagus was closed in two layers, and a temporary thoracostomy tube was used to evacuate the chest. Three dogs had pleural effusion, and indwelling tubes were used until the drainage ceased. Postoperative complications (i.e., pyothorax, subcutaneous seroma) were treated and resolved in two dogs. One dog was euthanized at surgery because of pyothorax, mediastinitis, and pleural effusion. The 13 remaining dogs began eating 3 days after surgery, and 11 owners (mean follow-up: 15 months) described their dogs as normal. The authors concluded that surgery was an effective treatment because it provided a 93% recovery rate.
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