Cannula-assisted sternal displacement for VATS correction of pectus excavatum in three cats

Three skeletally immature cats were treated for pectus excavatum using a modified video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique that involved using a thoracoscopic cannula to intraoperatively ventrally displace affected sternebrae, thereby assisting the placement of circumsternal sutures while simultaneously protecting underlying viscera. All cases recovered well from their procedure, and the described technique was successful in allowing good radiographic improvement of pectus excavatum in all cases. No intraoperative complications were encountered and all cases were judged as having an excellent outcome.

Routine VATS-assisted correction of pectus excavatum is possible in cats but may not confer any obvious advantage over traditional 'blind' placement of sutures owing to the difficulty in visualising the target sternebrae during surgery. The modification described here, in which the sternum is pushed ventrally, makes subsequent placement of percutaneous sutures easier while simultaneously reducing the risk of viscus penetration. It may therefore reduce the risks inherent in this procedure and has potential to be the treatment of choice for this condition.