Iatrogenic pectus excavatum in a giant breed dog following median sternotomy

Abstract

AbstractA giant breed dog was presented to a university teaching hospital for restlessness and what its owners perceived to be vomiting. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to a pulmonary mass and underwent median sternotomy for lung lobectomy. Post‐operatively, the patient developed iatrogenic pectus excavatum, which likely contributed to morbidity and prolonged hospitalisation. A Hoyer lift was employed to assist patient mobility and limit external sternal compression from prolonged recumbency. This case highlights the potential for iatrogenic pectus excavatum, which may affect recovery in giant breed dogs post‐median sternotomy.