Reconstruction of the oesophagus using pedicle diaphragm and omentum flaps in a dog: a case report

A two-years-old, intact female, Shih-Tzu dog weighing 5 kg was presented to the Chonbuk Animal Medical Centre, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, with the history of bone ingestion before two days. The survey radiographs of the thorax revealed a bone at the caudal thoracic oesophagus. An oesophagram was performed which did not reveal any oesophageal leakage or perforation. The left caudolateral thoracotomy was performed and the caudal oesophagus was found partially necrosed, friable and inflamed. The necrosed, friable part was removed and the oesophageal defect was reconstructed using a full-thickness muscle flap collected from the diaphragm. A part of the omentum was mobilized from the abdomen and sutured over the reconstructed site of the oesophagus to aid healing. Oesophagoscopy after nine days postoperatively showed a good adhesion of the diaphragm flap. The patient showed normal activity after 12 days and no complications were observed during a one-year follow up period. The pedicle flap collected from the left hemidiaphragm in addition to the omentum flap can be successfully used to reconstruct the circumferential oesophageal defect.