Partial lung lobectomy with the Caiman® Seal & Cut device in a dog with spontaneous pneumothorax: Case report

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs is characterized by an accumulation of air in the interpleural space without underlying trauma and  consecutive acute onset of respiratory distress. Underlying causes for spontaneous pneumothorax vary with ruptured bullae being one of the main  causes. Treatment after initial stabilization often requires partial or complete surgical resection of affected lung lobes. Partial lung lobectomy can be  performed with stapling devices or sealing devices for example, by different surgical approaches including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.  However, inter-thoracic surgery in small-sized dogs using either of the techniques is challenging.

Case Description: A 12-year-old Shih Tzu was presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. Further diagnostics with computed tomography and  intercostal thoracoscopy revealed a bulla in the right middle lung lobe. Partial lung lobectomy (2.5 × 2.5 × 2 cm) of the respective lung lobe was  performed by an intercostal approach using the Caiman® 5 Seal & Cut sealing device. The Caiman® 5 Seal & Cut device allowed quick and safe partial  lung lobectomy in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax without intra- or post-operative complications. The dog was discharged 2 days after  surgery in good clinical condition. This report demonstrates the in-vivo efficacy and safety of the Caiman® 5 Seal & Cut sealing device for partial lung  lobectomy in a small breed dog.

Conclusion: Using the Caiman® 5 Seal & Cut device lung tissue could be resected without intra- or post-operative complications in a small breed dog.  This case may emphasize the use of the device in fully video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery also in small-sized patients.