Objective: To evaluate the use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device for peripheral lung lobe biopsy in healthy dogs.
Study design: Experimental study.
Animals: Mature female hound dogs (n = 6).
Methods: Thoracoscopic access was obtained by placement of a subxiphoid telescope portal with instrument portals at the right 4-6th intercostal spaces and the left 10th intercostal space. The 10-mm Ligasure Atlas device was used to collect a biopsy specimen from the periphery of the left cranial lung lobe. Dogs were recovered from anesthesia. Histologic evaluation was used to characterize the effect of biopsy technique on pulmonary tissue. Thoracic radiography was performed at 1, 2, 4, and ∼180 days to evaluate for air leakage or other postoperative complications.
Results: Lung specimens were collected without complications. Postoperatively, 1 dog had some residual pneumothorax thought to be secondary to incomplete thoracic evacuation of air postoperatively. No evidence of air leakage was detected at any time point. Histologically, specimens had 3 distinct zones: a crush zone representing the tissue within the jaws of the device, a transition zone of thermally damaged parenchyma, and beyond that a viable zone of normal parenchyma.
Conclusion: From these limited data, it appears that the Ligasure Atlas vessel-sealing device can be used for peripheral lung biopsy in healthy dogs. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of the device in dogs with parenchymal disease.
Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.