34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Lung lobectomy using linear stapling is often considered the standard of care for pulmonary traumatic, neoplastic, and inflammatory conditions in small animals. To our knowledge, the airway leak pressures of the pre-tied ligature loop (PLL) and dual-shank (DS) titanium clips have never been experimentally evaluated when used for hilar lung lobectomy in cats. This ex vivo study aimed to compare the seal performance of linear stapler, PLL, and DS titanium clips for total lung lobectomy in a feline cadaveric model under physiologic and supraphysiologic airway pressures.

Methods:

Thirty lung lobes from five fresh feline cadavers humanely euthanised for reasons unrelated to this study were randomised into three groups to undergo hilar lung lobectomy using a linear vascular stapler, PLL, or DS titanium clips. After lobectomy, the bronchial stump was submerged in water, and the peak inspiratory airway pressure was increased up to a supraphysiologic pressure of 40 cm H₂O. Bursting pressure was compared among the techniques.

Results:

No air leaks were observed in the PLL and DS titanium clip groups. One bronchial stump in the linear vascular stapler group leaked at 40 cm H₂O. The groups had statistically similar leakage incidence (P=0.33).

Conclusions:

Linear vascular stapler, PLL, and DS titanium clips are comparable and effective approaches to sealing the hilar lung lobectomy site at physiologic and supraphysiologic airway pressures in feline cadavers. PLL and DS titanium clips could be considered reliable and safe techniques for hilar lung lobectomy in cats.