Minimally invasive treatment and short-term outcomes of a caudal mediastinal paraesophageal abscess (CMPA) in two dogs.

Objective: To describe the presentation, diagnostic findings, surgical treatment via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and short-term outcomes of two dogs with caudal mediastinal paraesophageal abscesses (CMPA).

Animals: Two client-owned dogs.

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Two dogs presented for surgical treatment of a CMPA diagnosed on computed tomography. Both patients underwent thoracoscopic treatment in which the abscess was opened, debrided, and lavaged with a combination of sharp dissection and use of a vessel-sealing device. One patient required partial conversion from total thoracoscopic treatment to a thoracoscopic-assisted approach due to limited visualization of the caudal mediastinum.

Results: Both dogs recovered uneventfully from surgery and were discharged 3 and 4 days postoperatively. Case 1 was re-evaluated with their primary veterinarian 7 days postoperatively and was reported to be doing very well. Case 2 returned 69 days postoperatively for examination and thoracic radiographs. Physical examination was unremarkable and thoracic radiography identified mildly increased soft tissue opacity in the region of the esophagus. Telephone follow-up with both owners 7 months postoperatively revealed return to normal activity, and normal breathing.

Conclusion: VATS appeared to be a feasible surgical approach for treatment of CMPA in dogs. Surgical intervention resolved clinical signs and resulted in a successful outcome in both cases.