Use of preoperative computed tomography for surgical treatment of recurrent draining tracts

• Published in: Journal of small animal practice Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 89 - 94
• Main Authors: Bouabdallah, R, Moissonnier, P, Delisle, F, De Fornel, P, Manassero, M, Maaoui, M, Fayolle, P, Viateau, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Abdomen; abscess; Animals; Cat Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cat Diseases - surgery; Cats; computed tomography; debridement; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dogs; Female; foreign bodies; Foreign-Body Migration - diagnostic imaging; Foreign-Body Migration - surgery; Foreign-Body Migration - veterinary; Male; planning; Recurrence; resection; Retrospective Studies; Thorax; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - veterinary
• ISSN: 0022-4510; 1748-5827
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12163

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a rational decision‐making approach based on preoperative computed tomography for surgical planning in dogs and cats with recurrent draining tracts. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of case records of animals that underwent preoperative computed tomography for surgical treatment of thoracic/abdominal recurrent draining tracts. Cases were classified according to whether a source of inflammation and/or infection, in particular foreign bodies, was identified (group 1), suspected (group 2) or neither identified nor suspected (group 3) at computed tomography. Surgery consisted of removal of the source of inflammation and/or infection (group 1), debridement or abscess drainage (group 2) or en bloc resection of diseased tissues (group 3). Clinical outcome was evaluated at least 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: A source of inflammation and/or infection was found in 100% (8 of 8), 41% (7 of 17) and 25% (3 of 12) of cases in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Recurrent draining tracts resolved in 100% (8 of 8), 94% (16 of 17) and 92% (11 of 12) of cases in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed strategy provided a 95% (35 of 37) cure rate, after a single procedure in 81% (30 of 37) of cases. Recovery of a foreign body at surgery was not a prerequisite for the resolution of the recurrent draining tracts.