Long‐term survival after treatment of idiopathic lung lobe torsion in 80 cases

Abstract

Objective: To report outcomes of dogs treated for lung lobe torsion (LLT) and to determine prognostic factors for survival.Study design: Retrospective multicenter study from four veterinary teaching hospitals.Animals: Dogs (n = 80) with LLT. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for clinical and histopathological findings. Long-term outcome was assessed with an owner questionnaire. Lung lobe torsion was classified as idiopathic or secondary on the basis of the etiology. Results: The most represented breeds were pugs (47.5%) and sighthounds (16.2%). The cause of the LLT was considered primary in 77%, secondary in 21%, and unknown in 2% of dogs. Postoperative complications were recorded in 14% of dogs. Overall, 95% of dogs survived to discharge, and median followup was 1095 days (range, 7-3809). Owners assessed outcomes and quality of life as excellent in 93% and 89% of dogs, respectively. Primary LLT was associated with a longer survival (median not reached in the study) compared with secondary LLT (921 days; range, 7-2073; P = .001). Conclusion:Overall long-term survival after lung lobectomy for LLT was excellent. Primary LLT was associated with longer survival compared with secondary LLT. Long-term owner evaluation of clinical outcome for dogs undergoing lung lobectomy for LLT was considered excellent. Clinical impact: Dogs with primary LLT undergoing lung lobectomy have a longer survival time compared with dogs with secondary LLT and have an excellent postoperative outcome.

Preventative pneumopexy in the management of concurrent right cranial and middle lung lobe torsion following right caudal lung lobectomy in a dog

“…The preferred surgical approach for lung lobectomy is intercostal thoracotomy due to reduced postoperative morbidity, 18 but median sternotomy was deemed more appropriate to allow better visualisation and to facilitate thorough thoracic exploration in this case. Lung lobectomy is the treatment of choice for LLT in dogs and cats 1,2,10 . Despite past perceptions of high complication rates and mortality associated with this procedure, recent studies have demonstrated excellent survival rate between 92% and 100% 1,2,19 …”

“…Lung lobectomy is the treatment of choice for LLT in dogs and cats 1,2,10 . Despite past perceptions of high complication rates and mortality associated with this procedure, recent studies have demonstrated excellent survival rate between 92% and 100% 1,2,19 …”

“…Lung lobe torsion (LLT) is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease in dogs without surgical intervention 1–3 . It occurs following axial rotation at the bronchovascular pedicle, with resultant airway obstruction and vascular compromise of the affected lobe.…”

“…Predisposing conditions include pleural effusion (commonly chylothorax), trauma, pneumonia, neoplasia, and following surgical manipulation 2–8 . Although not currently a recognized predisposing factor in dogs, lung lobectomy with subsequent LLT has been reported sporadically in the literature 1,2,9,10 . In people, postoperative LLT occurs with an incidence of 0.089%–0.3%, 11 most commonly following superior lung lobectomy 11,12 …”

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of lung lobe torsions in cats: a review of 10 cases (2000–2021)

“…2,3 While the cause of LLT is unknown, increased lobe mobility associated with thorax conformation, increased perilobar space, bronchial cartilage dysplasia and lobar pathology have been linked to its occurrence in veterinary species. 1,4–6…”