Accessory lung lobectomy in dogs: 11 cases (2009-2023)

To describe accessory lung lobectomy, via right or left intercostal thoracotomy, intraoperative and postoperative complications and outcome in a small population of dogs.

The medical records of 11 dogs that underwent accessory lung lobectomy at three veterinary institutions between 2009 and 2023 were reviewed. Signalment, history, physical examination, diagnostics, duration of hospitalisation, surgical approach, type of lobectomy, concurrent procedures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of indwelling thoracic drain and short-term outcomes were recorded.

Dogs underwent accessory lung lobectomy either via right (n = 9) or left (n = 2) intercostal thoracotomy. Partial (n = 6) or total lobectomy (n = 5) with stapler devices (n = 10) or surgical ligation (n = 1) was performed. Histopathology was performed in ten of 11 dogs and was consistent with pneumonia due to an infectious process or a migrating vegetable foreign body (n = 5), pulmonary carcinoma (n = 2), severe chronic neutrophilic and macrophagic pleuropneumonia (n = 1), pulmonary bullae (n = 1) or blastomycosis infection (n = 1). Iatrogenic trauma to the left caudal lung lobe occurred in one dog via left intercostal thoracotomy. The mean duration of indwelling thoracic drain was 2.7 days (range 1 to 4). Complications occurred postoperatively in six dogs. In five of six cases, short-term postoperative complications were classified as minor and included wound infection (n = 1), cough (n = 1), dyspnoea (n = 1), adverse reaction to medication (n = 1) and inappetence (n = 1). One case developed a major complication, pneumothorax with dehiscence of the lobectomy site, and revision surgery was required. All dogs survived hospital discharge.

Accessory lung lobectomy is uncommon and can be performed either via left- or via right-sided intercostal thoracotomy.