Left pancreaticoduodenostomy after removal of the right lobe and the head of the pancreas in a cat

Abstract

Objective To report a surgical technique for pancreaticoduodenostomy and its outcomes in a cat. Animals A 14‐year‐old domestic cat. Study design Case report. Methods A cat was referred to our hospital with a large abdominal mass. On ultrasonographic examination, this mass was identified as a large fluid‐filled cavity in place of the right pancreatic duct and involved the pancreatic and accessory pancreatic ducts. A small echoic cavity was observed in the left pancreatic lobe. Serous fluid was collected from the large cavity. On cytology, the small cavity was consistent with an abscess. A partial left pancreatectomy was performed to remove the abscess. The large cavity was excised with the remnant of the right pancreatic lobe and body. After ligation of the pancreatic ducts, the left pancreatic duct was isolated and an end‐to‐side pancreaticoduodenostomy was performed. Results The cat recovered without complications. Histological examination was consistent with chronic pancreatitis and peripheral inflammation. No evidence of postoperative pancreatic insufficiency was detected on clinical examination or laboratory findings. A focal ampulla‐like dilation of the pancreatic duct was noted on ultrasonography, with no other complications at the anastomosis. The cat presented 225 days postoperatively with respiratory distress. Multiple nodules were identified throughout the lung parenchyma on radiographs. Abnormalities on ultrasonographic examination included an enlarged liver infiltrated with nodules. Due to poor prognosis, the cat was euthanized. Final histopathological diagnosis was diffuse carcinoma. Conclusion Pancreaticoduodenostomy restored pancreaticointestinal continuity after extensive pancreatectomy involving the pancreatic ducts and resulted in long‐term survival in the cat reported here.

Surgical Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Cats

“…A total pancreatectomy has not been performed in cats. Cruciani et al in 2022 described, for the first time, a pancreaticoduodenectomy performed on a cat for the removal of the left pancreatic limb via ligation of the pancreatic ducts [ 151 ]. The technique was performed with a vessel-sealing device and a suture fracture technique, and, despite the good results, further investigation is required to determine the long-term results [ 151 ].…”