Resorbable self-locking device for canine lung lobectomy: A clinical and experimental study.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Devices

Background:

• Lung lobectomy is a common surgical procedure in veterinary medicine.
• Effective sealing of the hilum is crucial for successful lung lobectomy.
• Current methods for sealing lung tissue may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a resorbable self-locking device (LigaTie) for lung lobectomy in dogs.
• To assess the device's ability to seal lung tissue and its resorption characteristics.
• To investigate its potential in facilitating thoracoscopic lung lobectomy.

Main Methods:

• An experimental study in five beagles and a clinical case series in six dogs with pulmonary masses.
• A resorbable self-locking device (LigaTie) was applied to ligate the hilum during lung lobectomy.
• Video-assisted thoracic surgery was utilized in the experimental group; CT scans monitored device resorption.

Main Results:

• LigaTie application was feasible in all canine subjects, enabling en bloc ligation of pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi.
• No instances of air leakage from the resection stump were observed.
• The device's visibility on CT scans gradually diminished, becoming undetectable by 4 months post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• The resorbable self-locking device (LigaTie) is a viable option for sealing airways in complete lung lobectomy in dogs.
• This device shows promise for canine lung lobectomy, potentially simplifying thoracoscopic procedures.
• Further research is recommended for its clinical application in small animal surgery.