Surgical correction of pectus excavatum, using external splintage in two dogs and a cat |
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| Authors: | T W Fossum R J Boudrieau H P Hobson R L Rudy |
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| Institution: | Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843. |
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| Abstract: | Two 4-week-old pups and a 7-week-old kitten with respiratory distress and pectus excavatum were treated by external application of a coaptation splint to the ventral aspect of the thorax. Sutures were placed percutaneously around the sternum and through predrilled holes in a piece of moldable splint material that had been contoured to fit a normal-shaped thorax. Correction of the sternal deformity and alleviation of respiratory distress were achieved in all 3 animals. Frontosagittal index and vertebral index were assessed before and after surgery. In all 3 animals, both indices were abnormal before surgery, but were within the normal range after surgery. |
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