Chronic Expanding Hematoma Secondary to Excision of Recurrent Myxomas in a Bitch

Abstract

Background: Expanding chronic hematoma is a relatively common postoperative complication in humans, not in dogs, nevertheless, is important understand this condition because it may affect the animal’s health. A hematoma could be formed within hours and usually stabilizes spontaneously with the reabsorption of its content. However, occasionally the hematoma slowly expands, becomes encapsulated and forms a mass, causing a chronic expanding hematoma. Possibly skin and adipose tissue are displaced secondary to trauma, causing the formation of blood-filled cysts surrounded by a fibrous capsule. The aim of this document is to present the first report of a postsurgical chronic expanding hematoma in dog. Case: A case of chronic expanding hematoma secondary to excision of recurrent myxoma in a bitch was described. Physi-cal examination showed a hard, firm, non-mobile mass enclosed within the deep muscular layers. This mass was between the sternum and the cranial abdomen, similar to previous lesions excised by another veterinarian. Fine needle aspiration indicated the presence of blood. Radiology demonstrated that the bone-cartilage tissue was not involved. Due to the size of the mass, a skin stretching pre-suturing technique using self-adhesive tape was applied around the mass 48 h before surgery. The mass was removed with wide excision margins and portions of the affected muscles, but a large wound with great tension was created; consequently, a parallel to the wound incision and the thoraco-lumbar vertebrae was made. Six months after surgery, the animal presented recurrence of the same lesion, which was also …