Successful tracheoscopy-assisted reconstruction of traumatic tracheal avulsion in a cat.

OBJECTIVE

To outline the clinical findings, surgical management, complications, and outcomes in a case of intrathoracic, traumatic, tracheal avulsion.

CASE SUMMARY: A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with respiratory distress 18 days after a motor vehicle accident. A tracheal avulsion was diagnosed and treated by surgical anastomosis. The initial anastomosis failed. The subsequent tracheoscopic-assisted tracheal anastomosis was successful. The cat had no further episodes of respiratory distress following the second surgery in a 9-month follow-up period.

UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This communication describes a complication of intrathoracic, traumatic, tracheal avulsion repair that has not previously been described and the use of tracheoscopy during the subsequent surgical procedure to ensure accurate suture placement.