The Pleural Cavity Flashcards
What pre-operative stabilization is recommended for pleural surgery?
- shock therapy
- arterial blood gas
- oxygen
- monitor/treat arryhthmias
- effusion/pneumothorax treatment
- thoracocentesis/thoracostomy tube
Where are thoracostomy tube initially placed? How are they placed?
dorsal 1/3rd of 10th or 11th ICS
tunnel through SQ and enter the body wall at the 7th or 8th ICS, then secure with purse string and fingertrap
What anesthetic considerations are used for the pleural cavity? What premeds should be avoided?
- lesions impair normal lung expansion
- ventilation/perfusion disturbances
- intermittent positive pressure ventilation and PEEP
- ETCO 35-45 mmHg, avoid high ventilation pressures >25 cm H2O
drugs that cause hypoventilation
What is the purpose of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)? What effect does it have on the heart?
helps maintain open alveolis between breaths to improve oxygenation and limit alveolar cycling
decreases cardiac output
What 2 anesthetic complications are associated with pulmonary contusions?
- may delay anesthesia and surgery for repair of other injuries (fractures)
- may have to anesthetize despite pulmonary contusions for emergency procedures
What is reexpansion pulmonary edema?
rapid and forceful expansion of collapse lungs causes damage to pulmonary microvasculature and increased vascular permeability
- may not become apparent until several hours later
What 2 things should be avoided to prevent reexpansion pulmonary edema? How is this done?
- hyperinflation during positive pressure ventilation
- rapid, full reexpansion of chronically atelectic lobes during surgery
gradual reinflation of lung lobes via chest tube
What premedications and induction agents are recommended for pleural cavity surgery?
PREMEDS: opioids, ketamine, acepromazine, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics
INDUCTION: propofol, alfaxalone, ketamine + BZD
How is anesthesia maintained during pleural cavity surgery? What medications are recommended post-operative?
inhalant anesthetics, local anesthetics (Bupivacaine instilled into intrapleural space or intercostally)
opioids, sedation, tranquilizers
What 3 complications are seen following thoracotomies?
- hypoxemia - low PaO2 caused by decreased fraction of inspired oxygen, reduced ventilation, diffusion impairment, V/Q mismatch, and shunt
- hypoventilation - hurts to breath
- atelectasis
What 2 antibiotics are recommended for pleural cavity surgery?
- Cefazolin IV
- Amoxicillin/Sulbactam IV
(at induction and every 90 mins to 2 hours)
What is the normal anatomy of the lungs?
RIGHT = cranial, middle, caudal, accessory
LEFT = cranial, caudal
What approach gives the most access to cardiovascular and pulmonary structures?
LEFT
What is the most common approach to thoracotomies?
intercostal —> avoid cartilage where nerves are present
What is the median sternotomy a good approach for?
gives good access to the pericardial sac and allows for visualization to both sides of the chest
What is pneumothorax? What is the most dangerous type?
accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space
TENSION - rapidly fatal by impairing venous return and respiratory system
How is a closed pneumothorax treated?
CONSERVATIVELY - cage rest +/- thoracocentesis (less likely to develop infection)
- thoracotomy only recommended if conservative treatment fails
What are traumatic bullae (pulmonary pseudocyst)? Why are they so significant?
coalescence of ruptured air spaces within pulmonary parenchyma that become lined with fibrous CT within 3-5 days
can rupture, resulting in pneumothorax
How are traumatic bulla (pulmonary pseudocyst) treated?
partial lobectomy
What is a tension pneumothorax?
a flap lesion in the parenchyma of lung acts as a one-way valve, allowing air to enter the pleural space on inspiration, but prevents evacuation on expiration = intrapleural pressure rises rapidly and collapses the lung
What is seen on physical examination in tension pneumothorax? What treatment is recommended?
severe dyspnea with marked respiratory effort and expanded chest
- place a 16 or 18g needle or thoracostomy tube(s) through the thoracic wall to reduce pressure and allo air evacuation and lung expansion
- oxygen supplementation
What causes open pneumothorax?
penetration or rupture of chest wall from bite/stab wounds, gunshots, impalement, or inadequate thoracotomy closure
- more likely contamination or lung trauma
What emergency management is recommended for open pneumothorax?
- cover wound with sterile non-occlusive dressing
- insert thoracostomy tube
- repair definitively or place sterile occlusive dressing over wound until closure
What should be done if a penetrating object is present in the chest?
DON’T pull out, can lacerate or cause hemorrhage
- radiograph chest to determine intrathoracic location of the object
- perform a thoracotomy at the location to allow removal under direct visualization
What are the possible routes of infection that lead to pyothroax?
- hematogenous
- migrating FB
- penetration or bite wounds
- extension of pneumonia
- esophageal perforation
- neoplasia/abscess
What is used to determine medical management for pyothorax? What is the recommended treatment?
perform a Gram stain and culture/sensitivity of fluid and initiate broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy
- thoracostomy tube placement
- lavage thoracic cavity with 20 ml/kg of warmed, isotonic fluid with heparin
- alter antibiotic therapy based on culture and sensitivity and continue for 4-6 weeks and 2 weeks beyond clinical resolution
What are 5 indications for surgical treatment of pyothorax?
- lung abscess
- lung lobe torsion
- FB
- esophageal perforation
- no response to medical management in 3-4 days
What causes chylothorax? What is a long-term consequence?
chylous fluid drains into the thoracic cavity secondary to impaired or disrupted lymphatic drainage —> usually idiopathic
fibrosing pleuritis where surface of lung lobes get scar tissue and are unable to expand normally
What are 3 aspects of pleural effusion that are present in chylothorax?
- triglycerides in fluid > serum
- cholesterol in fluid < serum
- cytologic evaluation = modified lymphocytic transudate
What is the treatment option preferred for idiopathic chylothorax?
surgical management
- thoracic duct ligation
- cysterna chyli ablation
- subtotal pericardectomy
- omentalization
- pleural port placement
What helps for diagnosis and surgical treatment of chylothorax?
lymphangiography or injection of methylene blue into mesenteric LN
What approaches are recommended for dog and cat thoracic duct ligation? What approach allows access to abdomen and thorax?
- DOG: R 10th ICS
- CAT: L 10th ICS
transdiaphragmatic
What 3 surgical techniques are recommended for proper thoracic duct ligation?
- dorsal to aorta and central to sympathetic trunk
- ligate/clip individual branches or perform an en bloc ligatino
- ligate/clip as close to diaphragm as possible