Thoracoscopy to diagnose and to liberate adhesions in post-operative thoracotomy and in video-assisted thoracic surgery- VATS. Experimental study in dogs

Abstract

Fourteen adult mongrel dogs were used, 7 males and 7 females, proceeding from the Federal University of

Santa Maria, aiming to study thoracoscopy to evaluate comparatively the presence and attempt to liberate

post thoracotomy adhesions (TI) and post video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The animals were divided

in 2 groups. In the X group, the visibilization and attempt of liberate adhesions after VATS were carried

through from 3 to 5 days (B1) and from 9 to 11 days (B3) after thoracotomy. In group Y, the procedures were

carried through from 6 to 8 days post thoracotomy (B2). Blood samples for CK screening were taken before

TI (A0), after the end of the surgical procedure (A1), and in the next 2 days (A2 and A3). The adhesions

enclose the location of VATS and thoracotomy incisions, and their extension is smaller after VATS, due to

smaller tissue damage extension. It is possible to liberate the adhesions by thoracoscopy in up to 5 days

from surgical procedure, using two work ports. The increase of the CK seric levels is proportional to the

tissue damage. In conclusion, thoracoscopy can be used to diagnose thoracotomy and VATS adhesions,

and liberate the adhesion in up to 5 days after the surgical procedure. High incidence of adhesions in this

study may lead to serious surgical risks and requires special care in future reinterventions. The ethic

commission from UFSM approved this study UFSM (012/2005). All animals were adopted.