Perioperative complications after full-thickness gastrointestinal surgery in cats with alimentary lymphoma

To determine perioperative risk factors for complications that occur before hospital discharge after gastrointestinal (GI) surgery in cats with alimentary lymphosarcoma (LSA).

Case series.

Cats (n=70) with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of alimentary LSA that had full-thickness GI surgery.

Medical record data (February 1996-March 2009) from 3 academic referral centers were reviewed. Retrieved data included signalment, preoperative clinical signs and laboratory findings, perioperative medications administered, type and location of GI surgery performed and outcome until hospital discharge.

In 38 surgeries, intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. Gastrotomy and/or enterotomy was performed in 53 surgeries. A preoperative serum albumin concentration <2.5 g/dL was recorded for 11 cases. There was no clinical evidence of postoperative leakage from any biopsy or anastomosis site. Postoperative complications that occurred before hospital discharge included: anorexia or decreased appetite (n=8), hyperthermia (3), pancreatitis (1) and constipation (1).

Cats with alimentary LSA do not appear to be at high risk of postoperative dehiscence after full-thickness GI surgery.