Surgical technique and complications associated with laparoscopic pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in a dog

Abstract

An 11-year-old, neutered, male French bulldog was referred for surgical repair of an incidentally diagnosed pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a left centroventral diaphragmatic hernia with a large volume of left-sided intrathoracic fat. A minimally invasive laparoscopic approach was elected. A portion of the intrathoracic fat was laparoscopically reduced. Adhesions and friability of the herniated fat prevented further reduction, and the remaining fat was transected using a vessel-sealing device to enable herniorrhaphy via intracorporeal suturing. Immediate postoperative computed tomography performed under general anaesthesia confirmed an intact diaphragm with a large volume of persistent left-sided intrathoracic fat. The patient was immediately returned to the operating room and a keyhole left lateral thoracotomy performed to remove the remaining herniated fat. The patient recovered from surgery and anaesthesia uneventfully. There were no short- or long-term postoperative complications of herniorrhaphy.