Thoracoscopic lung biopsies in heaves-affected horses using a bipolar tissue sealing system.
Abstract: To validate the use of the LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System (LVSS) to perform thoracoscopic lung tissue biopsies in heaves-affected horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Heaves-affected horses (n=12). Methods: Lung biopsies (n=34) were collected with the LVSS (2-4 biopsies/horse) in horses with and without clinical signs of heaves. Thoracoscope (13th intercostal space [ICS]) and 2 instruments (between the 12-15th ICS) portals were used. Selected clinical and arterial blood gas variables were monitored. Postoperative pneumothorax was evaluated. Depth of thermal injury to the surrounding tissue and representativeness of the biopsies were determined. Results: Mean surgical time was 22.9±8.0 minutes. The complication rate was 5.6%, and primarily related to a focal inadequate sealing of the biopsy margin. Five horses in exacerbation required intraoperative intranasal O(2) . Mean PaO(2) was significantly lower in heaves-affected horses with clinical signs compared with those without clinical signs. Postoperative pneumothorax was detected radiographically after 20 of the 34 procedures. One horse with clinical signs of heaves developed a fatal tension pneumothorax 5 days postoperatively despite close radiographic monitoring. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic lung biopsy using LVSS is a rapid and effective technique to harvest peripheral lung tissues from heaves-affected horses. Although the complication rate was tolerable, tension pneumothorax was a potential life-threatening complication because of incomplete lung sealing. Conclusions: LVSS can be used with relative safety to perform thoracoscopic lung biopsy, but close postoperative monitoring is necessary to avoid tension pneumothorax.
© Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2010-08-03 PubMed ID: 20673273DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00720.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates the validity of using the LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System (LVSS) to perform thoracoscopic lung tissue biopsies in horses affected by heaves. It concludes that although LVSS is a rapid and effective technique, close postoperative monitoring is essential to avoid life-threatening situations such as tension pneumothorax due to incomplete lung sealing.
Methodology
- The study is a prospective clinical study that involves twelve heaves-affected horses.
- A total of 34 lung biopsies were collected from these horses with the help of LVSS, with each horse providing between 2 to 4 biopsies.
- The 13th intercostal space (ICS) is used for inserting the thoracoscope, and the instrument portals are placed between the 12-15th ICS.
- By carefully monitoring selected clinical and arterial blood gas variables as well as evaluating postoperative pneumothorax, the depth of thermal injury to the surrounding tissue and the representativeness of the biopsies were determined.
Results
- The average time for surgery was found to be around 22.9±8.0 minutes.
- The rate of complications was 5.6%, and these were primarily associated with focal inadequate sealing at the biopsy margin.
- Five horses in exacerbation required intraoperative intranasal oxygen.
- A significant difference was found in the mean PaO2 levels between horses with clinical signs of heaves and those without.
- Postoperative pneumothorax was identified radiographically in 20 out of the 34 procedures performed.
- One horse with clinical signs of heaves developed a fatal tension pneumothorax five days after the operation, despite rigorous radiographic monitoring.
Conclusions
- Thoracoscopic lung biopsy using the LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System is a quick and effective method for collecting peripheral lung tissues from horses affected by heaves.
- Despite an acceptable rate of complications, tension pneumothorax can pose as a potential danger due to incomplete lung sealing, necessitating careful postoperative monitoring.
Cite This Article
APA
Relave F, David F, Leclère M, Alexander K, Hélie P, Meulyzer M, Lavoie JP, Marcoux M.
(2010).
Thoracoscopic lung biopsies in heaves-affected horses using a bipolar tissue sealing system.
Vet Surg, 39(7), 839-846.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00720.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada. frelave@yahoo.fr
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lung / pathology
- Lung / surgery
- Prospective Studies
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / surgery
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / veterinary
- Thoracoscopy / veterinary
- Tissue Adhesives / therapeutic use
- Treatment Outcome
Grant Funding
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- da Silva PHS, Lopes CEB, Stallmach LB, Ferreira LO, Pimentel PAB, Giuliano A, Freitas PMC, Horta RDS. Comparison of Different Pneumorrhaphy Methods after Partial Pulmonary Lobectomy in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 28;13(17).
- Woodrow JS, Sheats MK, Cooper B, Bayless R. Asthma: The Use of Animal Models and Their Translational Utility. Cells 2023 Apr 5;12(7).
- Varegg MS, Kløverød KM, Austnes MK, Siwinska N, Słowikowska M, Zak A, Madej JA, Kandefer-Gola M, Ciaputa R, Nowak M, Niedzwiedz A. Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse during bronchoalveolar lavage - single case report. BMC Vet Res 2019 May 24;15(1):169.
- Bullone M, Vargas A, Elce Y, Martin JG, Lavoie JP. Fluticasone/salmeterol reduces remodelling and neutrophilic inflammation in severe equine asthma. Sci Rep 2017 Aug 18;7(1):8843.
- Arya S, Mackenzie H, Hanna GB. Non-vascular experimental and clinical applications of advanced bipolar radiofrequency thermofusion technology in the thorax and abdomen: a systematic review. Surg Endosc 2015 Jul;29(7):1659-78.
- Kirschbaum A, Clemens A, Steinfeldt T, Pehl A, Meyer C, Bartsch DK. Bipolar sealing of lung parenchyma: tests in an ex vivo model. Surg Endosc 2015 Jan;29(1):127-32.
- Wenzel CJ, Mochal-King CA, Eddy AL, Bowser JE, Wills RW, Jumper WI, Claude A, Swiderski CE. Surgical Assessment and Post-Operative Complications Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) of Horses with Severe Equine Pasture Asthma During Asthma Exacerbation and Remission. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 4;15(15).
- Buzon-Cuevas A, Duaso J, Sanchez de Medina A, Sierra JM, Perez-Ecija A, Mendoza FJ. Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Using the LigaSure(™) Device to Remove the Whole Extrahepatic Umbilical Vein: A Case Series Study in Equine and Donkey Foals. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 28;15(7).
- Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F, Ali H. Changes in the hematobiochemical, acid-base and blood gas elements as well as biomarkers of inflammation and bone metabolism in donkeys (Equus asinus) with acute bleeding. Open Vet J 2024 May;14(5):1146-1153.
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