Surgical technique for ambulatory management of airsacculitis in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Purpose: Bacterial infections of the air sac have been reported in many non human primates, Approaches to the management of airsacculitis have included combinations of medical and surgical therapies. These strategies have ofte n required repeated attempts to drain exudate from the affected air sac, as well as necessitating that the animal endure isolation or undergo intensiv e postoperative care before returning to its social group. Methods: A stoma was created via deliberate apposition of the air sac linin g and skin to allow continuous drainage, Antibiotic therapy based on cultur e and antimicrobial susceptibility of the air sac contents was administered while the chimpanzee remained in its social group. Results: We were able to attain complete resolution of the infection after a course of oral antibiotic therapy. The stoma closed gradually over a thre e-week period, and the chimpanzee has remained free of infection since that time, Conclusion: Despite the severity of the air sac infection in this chimpanze e, we were able to resolve the infection easily, using a simple surgical te chnique. This method allowed treatment without interfering with social stan ding or subjection to repeated anesthetic and treatment episodes. This meth od could be a simple, useful alternative for managing airsacculitis in nonh uman primates.