Experience with video-assisted thoracoscopic placement of pectus excavatum splints in kittens: six cases.

VATS-assisted external splint placement may reduce pectus excavatum repair complications in kittens.

This case series presents six male kittens (median age 3.3 months, median weight 1.75 kg) with moderate to severe pectus excavatum of the caudal sternum presenting with mild to moderate respiratory signs. All cases were treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to facilitate external sternal splint placement. The VATS approach allowed direct visualization of needle passage during circumsternal suture placement, theoretically reducing complications from proximity to intrathoracic vasculature and organs. All patients recovered from anesthesia without incident, and post-operative radiographs demonstrated reduction in sternal concavity and increased thoracic height at deformity sites. One cat experienced unexplained respiratory arrest 36 hours post-operatively. The authors conclude that VATS-assisted external splint placement may reduce intraoperative risks associated with pectus excavatum repair compared to traditional open techniques, though they acknowledge that additional research is necessary to establish efficacy and safety profiles.

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