Chylothorax and Thoracostomy Tubes

Question 1

Bayer, Vet Surg, 2014:
Injection of the diaphragmatic crus vs mesenteric lymph node with methylene blue for thoracic duct identification

Successful outcomes after injection of diaphragmatic crus vs mesenteric lymph node for thoracic duct identification?

Answer 1

Bayer, Vet Surg, 2014:

55% successful outcomes after diaphragmatic crus injection vs 100% successful outcomes after mesenteric lymph node injection

Question 2

Stockdale, JAVMA, 2018:
Thoracic duct ligation + subphrenic pericardiectomy with or without cisterna chyli ablation for chylothorax

Effect of the addition of cisterna chyli ablation?

Answer 2

Stockdale, JAVMA, 2018:

Increased duration of surgery with no better outcome than achieved with thoracic duct ligation + subphrenic pericardiectomy alone

Question 3

Fetzer, JVECC, 2017:
Small vs large bore thoracostomy tubes

Any difference between small and large bore thoracostomy tubes for drainage of air, low-viscosity fluid and high-viscosity fluid?

Answer 3

Fetzer, JVECC, 2017:

No difference in air, low-viscosity fluid or high-viscosity fluid recovery between small and large bore tubes

Question 4

Barker, Vet Surg, 2018:
Fluoroscopically guided thoracostomy tube placement vs blind placement

1. What % of dogs that underwent blind placement of thoracostomy tubes had major errors in placement that required removal and replacement?
2. What % of dogs that underwent fluoroscopically guided thoracostomy tube placement required tube replacement?

Answer 4

Barker, Vet Surg, 2018:

1. 20% of dogs that underwent blind placement of thoracostomy tubes had major errors in placement that required removal and replacement
2. 0% of dogs that underwent fluoroscopically guided thoracostomy tube placement required tube replacement