Abstract
To report the clinical characteristics and recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to pulmonary blebs and bullae following surgical management in a large cohort of dogs. To explore potential risk factors for recurrence and describe outcome. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for cases with spontaneous pneumothorax managed surgically between 2000 and 2017. Signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, surgery, histopathology findings and patient outcomes were recorded. Follow-up was performed via patient records and telephone contact. Records of 120 dogs with surgically treated pneumothorax were identified and reviewed, with 99 cases appropriate for exploratory statistical analysis. Median follow-up was 850 days (range: 9-5105 days). Two- and 5-year survival rates were 88.4% and 83.5%, respectively. There was recurrence in 14 of 99 dogs (14.1%) with adequate follow-up, with a median time to recurrence of 25 days (1-1719 days). Univariable Cox regression analysis suggested increased risk for recurrence in giant breeds (hazard ratio=11.05, 95% confidence interval: 2.82-43.35) and with increasing bodyweight (HR=1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.09). Of 14 dogs with recurrence, six were euthanased, two died of causes related to pneumothorax and six underwent further treatment, of which five were resolved. Long-term survival for dogs with surgically managed spontaneous pneumothorax was good and associated with a low risk of recurrence. Giant breed dogs and increased bodyweight were the only variables identified as possible risk factors for recurrence. The outcome for dogs with recurrence undergoing a second intervention was also favourable.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSSpontaneous pneumothorax is the accumulation of air within the pleural space in the absence of trauma
Many of the current published studies have relatively small case numbers and include cases of pneumothorax secondary to disease other than pulmonary blebs and bullae, which may impact on these reported recurrence rates (Holtsinger et al 1993, Puerto et al 2002)
The recurrence rate for surgically managed cases of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to pulmonary blebs and bullae was 14% in this study, which is comparable with previously reported data (0–25%) (Lipscomb et al 2003, Puerto et al 2002, Case et al 2015 Holtsinger et al 1993)
Summary
MATERIALS AND METHODSSpontaneous pneumothorax is the accumulation of air within the pleural space in the absence of trauma. Recurrence rates of 0 to 25% (0% (Lipscomb et al 2003), 3% (Puerto et al 2002), 17% (Case et al 2015), 25% (Holtsinger et al 1993)) for surgically treated cases are reported, compared with 50% for non-surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (Puerto et al 2002). Many of the current published studies have relatively small case numbers and include cases of pneumothorax secondary to disease other than pulmonary blebs and bullae (such as neoplasia, pneumonia and migrating foreign bodies), which may impact on these reported recurrence rates (Holtsinger et al 1993, Puerto et al 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
