Short-term outcome of adrenalectomy in dogs with adrenal gland tumours that did not receive pre-operative medical management.

Abstract

Review medical records of dogs that underwent adrenalectomy without pre-operative medical management, to examine the peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Case series of 65 dogs. Medical records were reviewed. Features recorded included the histologic diagnosis, intra-operative hypertension or tachycardia, requirement for cavotomy, administration of intra- and post-operative corticosteroids, performance of additional surgery and the occurrence of peri-operative complications. Dogs requiring emergency surgery were excluded. Of the 65 dogs, 49 had adrenocortical tumours (11 bilateral), 13 had pheochromocytomas (one bilateral) and three dogs had tumours in both adrenal glands of a different tumour type. Five dogs had caudal vena cava invasion and 33 had additional procedures performed at the same time. Mortality occurred in 1/65 dogs (1.5%; 95% CI 0.03%-8.2%), major complications were identified in 1/65 dogs (1.5%; 95% CI 0.03%-8.2%) and minor complications occurred in 10/53 dogs (15%; 95% CI 8.6%-26%). Based on the limited peri-operative complications and low mortality in this pre-operatively untreated cohort, and based on critique of the available literature, the added value afforded by pre-operative treatment is questioned. With appropriate management, adrenal tumours can be removed with few peri-operative complications and low mortality.