Results of transthoracic esophagotomy retrieval of esophageal foreign body obstructions in dogs: 14 cases (2000-2004)

The records of 14 consecutive cases of esophageal foreign body obstruction in dogs that had undergone transthoracic esophagotomy for foreign body retrieval were reviewed. Clinical results were considered successful in 13 of 14 dogs. One dog was euthanized at surgery because of the severity of associated thoracic lesions. Clinical signs resolved in the remaining 13 dogs. Two dogs had postoperative complications. One dog developed a pyothorax, and one dog developed a subcutaneous seroma. The overall recovery rate was 93%.