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Surgical Procedures and Postoperative Complications in Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 3089

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Clinica Veterinaria Nervianese, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
Interests: veterinay medicine; laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery; oncologic surgery; interventional radiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Surgery has made enormous progress in recent years, with increasingly more procedures displaying the benefits of using our novel and established techniques. However, we have little knowledge regarding the procedures and complications associated with individual operations.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect papers that delve into the details of surgical procedures and complications related to each operation.

In this way, it will be possible to discover a new perspective in relation to procedures, demonstrating the benefits—with regards to reduced complications—or the real-world problems encountered in the medical/surgical management of specific cases.

For this reason, this Special Issue will be a perfect handbook for surgeons who will want to learn about the benefits and risks of a surgical technique, improving their knowledge and increasing their awareness in case management.

Dr. Federico Massari
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • complication
  • surgical procedure
  • postoperative
  • outcome
  • recovery

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 353 KB  
Article
Surgical Assessment and Post-Operative Complications Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) of Horses with Severe Equine Pasture Asthma During Asthma Exacerbation and Remission
by Caitlin J. Wenzel, Cathleen A. Mochal-King, Alison L. Eddy, Jacquelyn E. Bowser, Robert W. Wills, W. Isaac Jumper, Andrew Claude and Cyprianna E. Swiderski
Animals 2025, 15(15), 2276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152276 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 928
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to assess surgical duration and surgical and post-operative complications associated with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and lung biopsy in horses with severe Equine Pasture Asthma (EPA) and paired control horses. Twelve horses (6 EPA-affected, 6 [...] Read more.
The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to assess surgical duration and surgical and post-operative complications associated with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and lung biopsy in horses with severe Equine Pasture Asthma (EPA) and paired control horses. Twelve horses (6 EPA-affected, 6 control) were sex, age and breed matched. Twenty-four thoracic surgeries were performed. Surgery of each matched pair (EPA-affected and healthy) was performed during asthma exacerbation (summer) and remission (winter). Surgical times were shorter with uncomplicated thoracoscopy (85 min) and significantly longer (p < 0.001) when intra-operative complications necessitated conversion to thoracotomy (156 min). The overall surgical time of EPA-affected horses during asthma exacerbation was significantly longer than control horses at any time point, predicted mean difference of 78 min (p < 0.05). When comparing EPA-affected horses to themselves during asthma exacerbation and remission, surgical times were significantly longer (p < 0.01) with a predicted mean difference of 98 min; this effect of seasonality did not occur amongst control horses. Intra-operative surgical complications (6/24) were evenly divided between EPA and control horses, however, only severe EPA horses in exacerbation were noted to have lung hyperinflation. Post-operative complications: fever, colic, hemothorax, pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, surgical site infection, and/or laminitis occurred in 13/24 surgical procedures (54%). No fatalities resulted from these procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical Procedures and Postoperative Complications in Animals)
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7 pages, 935 KB  
Case Report
Standing NanoNeedle Arthroscopy of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint for Removal of Osteochondral Fragments of Distal P2 and the Extensor Process in a Horse
by Nicole A. I. Phillips, Lisa A. Fortier, Christina S. Cable and Aimee C. Colbath
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081168 - 10 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background: In horses, standing arthroscopy offers a valuable alternative to general anesthesia for the reduction of anesthetic-associated risks, and provides improved visualization in joints where access is facilitated by weightbearing. These techniques are particularly advantageous for patients with increased anesthetic risk or financial [...] Read more.
Background: In horses, standing arthroscopy offers a valuable alternative to general anesthesia for the reduction of anesthetic-associated risks, and provides improved visualization in joints where access is facilitated by weightbearing. These techniques are particularly advantageous for patients with increased anesthetic risk or financial limitations. To the authors’ knowledge, the removal of osteochondral fragments from the distal interphalangeal joint in a standing, sedated horse using small-diameter arthroscopic equipment has not been previously reported. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old American Quarter Horse–Thoroughbred cross presented on referral for treatment of osteochondral fragmentation in the right fore distal interphalangeal joint. A standing arthroscopic approach to the distal interphalangeal joint was performed. In a weight-bearing position, debridement of the dorsal osteochondral fragments from the second and third phalanx was successfully completed, using a 2 mm NanoNeedle scope and 3.2 mm high-flow 10- degree cannula (Arthrex®). At one year follow-up, the horse had returned to competition and was sound at veterinary examination. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the feasibility of standing NanoNeedle arthroscopy of the equine coffin joint with improved maneuverability, surgical ergonomics, and reduced iatrogenic injury compared to a standard rigid arthroscope. The successful execution of this technique effectively expands our collection of standing arthroscopic procedures in the equine patient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical Procedures and Postoperative Complications in Animals)
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10 pages, 3449 KB  
Case Report
Salvage Stabilization via Transthoracic Approach for Congenital Vertebral Malformations in a Toy Breed Dog: A Case Report
by Hyeyeon Cheong and Jaegwan Cha
Animals 2026, 16(5), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050719 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 329
Abstract
This case report describes the successful management of a 7-month-old Pomeranian with congenital vertebral malformation (CVM) causing kyphosis and progressive myelopathy, characterized by non-ambulatory paraparesis, decreased postural reactions, and increased spinal reflexes in the hind limbs. Initial management involved a dorsal approach for [...] Read more.
This case report describes the successful management of a 7-month-old Pomeranian with congenital vertebral malformation (CVM) causing kyphosis and progressive myelopathy, characterized by non-ambulatory paraparesis, decreased postural reactions, and increased spinal reflexes in the hind limbs. Initial management involved a dorsal approach for decompression and stabilization; however, the patient failed to regain hindlimb function. Following two failed surgical attempts due to implant failure and progressive instability, a salvage stabilization was performed using a transthoracic approach. Stabilization was achieved using titanium screws and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) applied to the vertebral bodies. The patient exhibited marked postoperative improvement, regaining weight-bearing ability within one week and achieving a normal gait by four weeks. At the 19-month follow-up, the dog maintained normal ambulatory function with no recurrence of neurological deficits. While the transthoracic approach is well-documented in brachycephalic breeds, this is the first report describing its successful application in a toy breed. This case highlights the transthoracic approach as a highly effective salvage technique, offering a novel solution when conventional dorsal elements are irreversibly compromised due to the extremely diminutive and fragile nature of toy breed vertebrae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical Procedures and Postoperative Complications in Animals)
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11 pages, 10990 KB  
Case Report
Tracheal External Support Using a Parallel Loop Line Prosthesis for Tracheal Stent Fracture in a Dog: A Case Report
by Tomohiro Yoshida, Ryou Tanaka, Kazuyuki Terai, Aki Takeuchi, Akari Hatanaka, Daisuke Ito and Takashi Tanaka
Animals 2026, 16(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020171 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 694
Abstract
Tracheal stent fracture is a major complication of endoluminal tracheal stent (ELS) for canine tracheal collapse, and optimal management strategies remain unclear. A 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier presented with respiratory distress caused by complete ELS fracture. Imaging and bronchoscopy revealed intraluminal protrusion of fractured [...] Read more.
Tracheal stent fracture is a major complication of endoluminal tracheal stent (ELS) for canine tracheal collapse, and optimal management strategies remain unclear. A 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier presented with respiratory distress caused by complete ELS fracture. Imaging and bronchoscopy revealed intraluminal protrusion of fractured stent segments, ventral tracheal cartilage invagination, and marked luminal deformation. A parallel loop line prosthesis (PLLP) was selected as an external tracheal support. Its continuous band-like structure allowed broad and uniform reinforcement of the tracheal wall and redistribution of mechanical stress. PLLP placement successfully restored a near-normal tracheal contour and stabilized the fractured stent without introducing additional intraluminal material. Postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed improved tracheal patency, and no further deformation or stent damage was observed despite several months of altered airway dynamics associated with laryngeal paralysis. This case suggests that PLLP may represent a valid surgical option for managing tracheal stent fracture in dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical Procedures and Postoperative Complications in Animals)
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