INTRATHORACIC EMERGENCY TRACHEOTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF TRACHEAL FOREIGN BODY IN A YOUNG CAT

Abstract

Tracheal foreign bodies are rare emergency events. Several noninvasive methods are described for removal, such as bronchoscopy combined with appropriate grasping equipment or Foley catheter and forceps guided by fluoroscopy. However, complications can occur like pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and irresponsive dyspnea as well as failure. Thus, pre-sternal tracheotomy combined with endoscopy or thoracotomy are attempted. Female cat, 1 year old, 1.6 kg had diagnosis of foreign body (0.7 x 0.5cm) with morphology of bird cervical vertebra at carina area, presenting one week of dyspnea, worsening with radiographic exam. It was performed emergency thoracotomy at left fifth intercostal space, followed by tracheotomy between the tracheal rings immediately cranial to the carina, allowing forceps removal. No foreign body was observed at radiograph after eight days and the patient was clinically well. Although, less invasive methods are preferable, they are not always available and they are not free from failures, leading to emergency tracheotomy as described in the present case report.