Use of an autologous pericardial patch to repair a post-traumatic caudal vena cava cicatrix in a dog.

Objective: To report the use of a pericardial patch graft to repair a post-traumatic caudal vena cava cicatrix in a dog.

Study design: Case report.

Animals: A 1 year-old Rottweiler presenting with ascites following presumed blunt thoracic trauma.

Methods: Kinking of the caudal vena cava and resultant Budd-Chiari-like syndrome was diagnosed on echocardiography and computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Surgical exploration via right sixth intercostal thoracotomy was performed. Release of the cicatrix was unsuccessful in reducing the pressure gradient and a pericardial patch graft repair of the thoracic caudal vena cava was therefore performed to relieve the obstruction.

Results: The dog recovered from surgery and was discharged after 3 days. Follow-up at 6 weeks showed resolution of ascites and all clinical signs. Owner telephone follow-up at 24 months post-surgery confirmed that the dog remained clinically normal.

Conclusion: A pericardial patch graft technique can be used successfully to reconstruct the thoracic caudal vena cava, in cases of traumatic kinking where dissection of the fibrotic band alone fails to reduce caudal caval pressure.