🔍 Key Findings
- A minimally invasive surgical (MIS) endoscopic technique was developed to remove axillary and accessory axillary lymph nodes in dogs.
- The technique was successfully performed in all 6 limbs of 4 cadavers, and in 2 of 3 clinical cases, with one requiring conversion to open surgery.
- Mean surgical times were 5.1 minutes for accessory axillary nodes and 33 minutes for axillary nodes in cadavers.
- In clinical cases, surgical times were 35–58 minutes; complications were minimal and mostly limited to mild, transient lameness or seroma.
- No cases developed lymphedema or pneumothorax, suggesting a low complication rate for this MIS approach.
- Node visualization was improved using the endoscopic approach, aiding in the identification of critical structures like the thoracodorsal nerve and axillary vasculature.
- In one clinical case, conversion to open surgery was needed due to difficulty in manipulating the node adjacent to vascular structures.
- The study suggests that MIS excisional biopsy is feasible, but larger studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.
