Omentalisation in the treatment of sublumbar abscessation: long-term outcome in 10 dogs.

The objectives of this study were to report the technique of omentalisation for the management of sublumbar abscessation associated with suspected migrating plant material, the intraoperative and postoperative complications that occurred and the long-term outcome of the cases. A retrospective case series of dogs (n=10) with sublumbar abscessation managed by exploration and drainage combined with omentalisation of the abscess cavity is reported in this study. The sublumbar area was approached through a ventral midline coeliotomy, the abscess was explored, drained, debrided and subsequently packed with omentum. One dog sustained an aortic rupture during exploration of the abscess, the aorta was repaired; there were no postoperative complications. There was long-term (>12 months) resolution of clinical signs in all dogs. Drainage and omentalisation of sublumbar abscesses resulted in complete resolution of signs in all dogs and was associated with a low incidence of complications. Omentalisation is an effective treatment for dogs presenting with sublumbar abscesses associated with suspected migrating plant material.