Traumatic myocardial laceration as a result of suspected cranial migration of a sewing needle from the stomach of a dog

Abstract

This report describes a myocardial transdiaphragmatic foreign body as a consequence of a suspected cranial migration of a sewing needle from the stomach of a dog. Surgical removal of myocardial transdiaphragmatic foreign bodies may be associated with significant haemorrhage that requires immediate surgical action, so direct visualisation of the retrieval of a myocardial foreign body is mandatory. A combination of caudal midline sternotomy and cranial coeliotomy approach with diaphragmatic split allowed good visualisation and management of the haemorrhage associated with the foreign body removal in this case.