Successful tracheoscopy‐assisted reconstruction of traumatic tracheal avulsion in a cat

• Published in: Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2000) Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 467 - 473
• Main Authors: Joffe, Michelle R., Tan, Christopher J., Boland, Lara A., Pilton, Joanna L., Hickey, Mara C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-2020
• Subjects: Anastomosis, Surgical - veterinary; Animals; Cat Diseases - etiology; Cat Diseases - pathology; Cat Diseases - surgery; Cats; Dyspnea - veterinary; emergency airway reconstruction; Humans; Male; Rupture - surgery; Rupture - veterinary; Thoracic Injuries - veterinary; trachea; Trachea - injuries; Trachea - surgery; trauma; trauma; trachea; emergency airway reconstruction
• ISSN: 1479-3261; 1476-4431
• DOI: 10.1111/vec.12973

Objective
To outline the clinical findings, surgical management, complications, and outcomes in a case of intrathoracic, traumatic, tracheal avulsion.
Case Summary
A 2‐year‐old domestic shorthair cat presented with respiratory distress 18 days after a motor vehicle accident. A tracheal avulsion was diagnosed and treated by surgical anastomosis. The initial anastomosis failed. The subsequent tracheoscopic‐assisted tracheal anastomosis was successful. The cat had no further episodes of respiratory distress following the second surgery in a 9‐month follow‐up period.
Unique Information Provided
This communication describes a complication of intrathoracic, traumatic, tracheal avulsion repair that has not previously been described and the use of tracheoscopy during the subsequent surgical procedure to ensure accurate suture placement.