Outcome in 38 dogs surgically treated for hepatic abscessation

Abstract

Objective: To report outcomes following surgical treatment of hepatic abscessation in dogs. Study design: Retrospective.Animals: Thirty-eight dogs. Methods: Records from 6 institutions were evaluated for dogs undergoing surgical treatment for hepatic abscessation between 2010 and 2020. Signalment, clinical signs, medical therapy, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcome was obtained from medical records. Long-term outcome was recorded when possible. Median survival time was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier productlimit method.Results: Peritoneal effusion was documented in 32/38 dogs preoperatively, with septic peritonitis confirmed in 21/23 samples. Liver lobectomy was the most common surgery (27 dogs). A single organism was cultured in 24/35 dogs, most commonly Escherichia coli. Hepatic neoplasia was identified in 11/36 dogs. Dogs were hospitalized for a median of 5 days (range, 3-17) with complications recorded in 21 dogs (regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia, and pancreatitis most commonly). Two dogs died intraoperatively, and 6 dogs died prior to discharge. Median survival time for dogs surviving to discharge was 638 days. Of these, 19 were lost to follow up a median of 301 (range, 3-1418) days postoperatively and 11 died a median of 291 (range, 7-1292) days postoperatively. No abscess recurrence was noted. Conclusion: Septic peritonitis was a common sequela to hepatic abscessation.Perioperative complications were recorded in approximately one-third of dogs. In dogs surviving the postoperative period, long-term prognosis was good.Clinical significance: Dogs treated surgically for hepatic abscessation have a high risk of perioperative complications but favorable long-term prognosis and apparent low risk of recurrence.

Computed tomography of suppurative and neoplastic diseases involving the canine omenta and omental bursa

“…The abscesses did not encompass the structures of the porta hepatis and were completely removed. Both dogs were alive at the most recent follow‐up, consistent with reported favorable long‐term prognosis in dogs with uncomplicated perioperative and postoperative surgically managed hepatic abscesses 16 . These two dogs also had pneumoperitoneum and septic peritonitis of the greater peritoneal cavity.…”

“…Therefore, surgically managed hepatic abscesses. 16 These two dogs also had pneumoperitoneum and septic peritonitis of the greater peritoneal cavity. Hepatic abscesses are uncommon in dogs and a definitive cause is not always found.…”

“…Proposed causes include septic emboli, liver lobe torsion, and necrotic neoplasms; the pathophysiology is incompletely understood. 16 In humans, ultrasound and CT are the primary modalities for diagnosing hepatic abscesses with diagnostic accuracy greater than 90%. 14 In the two dogs with hepatic abscesses of the papillary process, the largest portion of the abscess was within the omental vestibule with involvement of the papillary process a much smaller component of the disease.…”

“…Hepatic abscesses of the papillary process are particularly uncommon. Proposed causes include septic emboli, liver lobe torsion, and necrotic neoplasms; the pathophysiology is incompletely understood 16 . In humans, ultrasound and CT are the primary modalities for diagnosing hepatic abscesses with diagnostic accuracy greater than 90% 14 .…”