Hernia diafragmática de origen traumático en canino pinscher: reporte de caso.

Abstract

Diaphragmatic hernias are described as a rupture in the continuity of the diaphragm causing the abdominal organs to migrate into the thoracic cavity and often these hernias are associated with respiratory and digestive symptoms. CatDog, a 4-year-old female canine patient, referred from another veterinary clinic for polytrauma, was presented to the veterinary hospital. She was admitted with respiratory symptoms with a marked abdominal pattern, panting and dyspnea. On physical examination she was found to be mentally alert, responsive to stimuli, with pale pink mucous membranes / moist and capillary refill time of 2 seconds, cardiopulmonary auscultation showed hypoacoustic heart sounds, apparent bilateral pulmonary rales, mild tachypnea and a skin laceration on the left hind limb at the level of the inner thigh was observed. Complementary tests were performed and the following alterations were found: X-rays showed pulmonary contusion and discontinuity of the diaphragm allowing the displacement of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity, including the liver, spleen, stomach and some intestinal loops. Ultrasound also showed these organs in the thoracic cavity and ruled out the presence of fluid due to possible rupture of the spleen and/or bladder in the abdominal cavity. Finally, as for the blood picture plus coagulation times, no alterations were found. For the resolution of the diaphragmatic defect, the patient was stabilized for 24 hours with analgesics, antacids, free radical scavengers, nebulizations and multivitamins. Subsequently, the patient was admitted to surgery where diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy was performed by exploratory laparotomy and finally a bilateral thoracic drainage tube was placed in the thorax. In the intrahospital postoperative period, the previously established medication was continued plus the addition of an antibiotic. The patient evolved satisfactorily and was discharged 48 hours later.