Pneumonectomy: four case studies and a comparative review

Pneumonectomy is the resection of all lung lobes in either the left or right lung field. The surgical technique and postoperative results of pneumonectomy for clinical disease have not been reported in companion animals. Pneumonectomy was performed in three dogs and one cat to treat pulmonary or pleural disease, and the postoperative outcome compared with the complications and results reported in the human literature. One dog died immediately postoperatively due to suspected respiratory insufficiency and the remaining three animals survived the perioperative period. Postoperative complications were reported in two animals. Cardiac complications occurred in the cat, with perioperative arrhythmias and progressive congestive heart failure. Gastrointestinal complications were diagnosed in one dog, with mediastinal shift and oesophageal dysfunction. Left- and right-sided pneumonectomy is feasible in companion animals, and the postoperative outcome and complications encountered in this series were similar to those reported in humans.