Chest wall lift for thoracoscopic lung lobectomy: Technique and results in two cats

Objective: To report the technique and outcomes of utilizing chest wall lift to perform thoracoscopic surgery in two cats. Study design: Short case series. Animals: Client-owned cats (n = 2). Methods: A geriatric cat was referred for pleural effusion secondary to a left cranial lung lobe mass. A thoracoscopic exploration of the left hemithorax was planned with a lift device used for laparoscopy and attached to a ceiling mount. A young cat was referred for a foreign body lodged in the right caudal bronchus. Attempted bronchoscopic retrieval was unsuccessful. Thoracoscopic lung lobectomy was planned using a bent Steinmann pin as a lift device placed at the eighth intercostal space, along one of the cannula. Results: Thoracic lift was achieved with the patient in right lateral recumbency for the first cat, leading to immediate improvement in the oxygenation and ventilation status of the patient while simultaneously allowing for continued thoracoscopic exploration of the hemithorax. With two additional ports, thoracoscopic dissection of the adhesions was performed prior to thoracoscopic assisted lung lobectomy at the fourth intercostal space. For the second cat, thoracic lift was performed with the patient in left lateral recumbency and allowed successful 3-port thoracoscopic lung lobectomy. No complication related to the use of either lift device was noted. Conclusion: Chest wall lift improved anesthesia respiratory status in one cat and increased the working space to perform thoracoscopic procedures in both cats. Clinical significance: This novel and simple technique could increase working space without anesthesia impairment, allowing thoracoscopic procedures in selected feline patients.