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Dickerson et al: Outcome in 38 dogs surgically treated for hepatic abscessation
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Liver lobectomy was the most common treatment (27/36 dogs), with multiple lobes removed in ~1/3 of cases.
  • Septic peritonitis was present in 21/23 sampled dogs, making it a frequent complication.
  • Perioperative complications occurred in 21/36 dogs, including aspiration pneumonia, pancreatitis, and acute kidney injury.
  • Intraoperative hypotension was common (32/36), often requiring vasopressors or colloids.
  • Mortality prior to discharge was 21% (8/38), with deaths related to sepsis, aspiration pneumonia, and multi-organ dysfunction.
  • Median survival time was 638 days in dogs surviving to discharge.
  • No recurrence of hepatic abscessation was observed in the surviving population.
  • E. coli and Clostridium spp. were the most commonly cultured organisms, often as single-agent infections.

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← Articles

Dickerson et al: Outcome in 38 dogs surgically treated for hepatic abscessation
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Liver lobectomy was the most common treatment (27/36 dogs), with multiple lobes removed in ~1/3 of cases.
  • Septic peritonitis was present in 21/23 sampled dogs, making it a frequent complication.
  • Perioperative complications occurred in 21/36 dogs, including aspiration pneumonia, pancreatitis, and acute kidney injury.
  • Intraoperative hypotension was common (32/36), often requiring vasopressors or colloids.
  • Mortality prior to discharge was 21% (8/38), with deaths related to sepsis, aspiration pneumonia, and multi-organ dysfunction.
  • Median survival time was 638 days in dogs surviving to discharge.
  • No recurrence of hepatic abscessation was observed in the surviving population.
  • E. coli and Clostridium spp. were the most commonly cultured organisms, often as single-agent infections.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Dickerson 2023 et al., on surgical outcomes in hepatic abscessation, what was the most commonly identified bacterial isolate?

A. Klebsiella spp.
B. Staphylococcus spp.
C. Escherichia coli
D. Streptococcus spp.
E. Candida albicans

Answer: Escherichia coli

Explanation: E. coli was the most common isolate, found in 8 of 35 dogs.
In Dickerson 2023 et al., on surgical outcomes in hepatic abscessation, what was the median survival time for dogs discharged from the hospital?

A. 138 days
B. 291 days
C. 365 days
D. 538 days
E. 638 days

Answer: 638 days

Explanation: Dogs surviving to discharge had a median survival time of 638 days.
In Dickerson 2023 et al., on surgical outcomes in hepatic abscessation, what proportion of dogs developed intraoperative hypotension?

A. 12%
B. 32%
C. 50%
D. 78%
E. 89%

Answer: 89%

Explanation: Intraoperative hypotension occurred in 32 of 36 dogs (89%).
In Dickerson 2023 et al., on surgical outcomes in hepatic abscessation, which surgical intervention was most commonly performed?

A. Partial omentalization
B. Full omentalization
C. Exploratory laparotomy only
D. Liver lobectomy
E. Cholecystectomy

Answer: Liver lobectomy

Explanation: Liver lobectomy was the primary surgical approach, performed in 27 of 36 dogs.
In Dickerson 2023 et al., on surgical outcomes in hepatic abscessation, what was the reported in-hospital mortality rate?

A. 5%
B. 11%
C. 21%
D. 35%
E. 43%

Answer: 21%

Explanation: 8 of 38 dogs died before discharge, corresponding to a 21% mortality rate.

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