Use of omentum as a physiologic drain for treatment of chylothorax in a dog

Objectives-To describe a novel technique for the surgical treatment of idio pathic chylothorax in a dog. Animals-A 6-year-old, male Rhodesian Ridgeback, which presented with a hist ory of reduced exercise tolerance and dyspnea. Methods-Idiopathic chylothorax was diagnosed. Intermittent pleural drainage failed to resolve the problem. During surgery, extensive pleural fibrosis made it impossible to identify the thoracic duct. A dorsal omental pedicle was advanced through an incision in the diaphragm and into the cranial thor acic cavity to act as a physiological drain. Results-The dog recovered well and has remained free from clinical signs of recurrence of the effusion (16 months at the time of writing). Conclusions-The disease-free interval achieved in this dog indicates that t his novel technique is worthy of further consideration in the management of idiopathic chylothorax. (C)Copyright 1999 by The American College of Veter inary Surgeons.