Lung lobe torsion following intrathoracic surgery in a dog

Abstract A 6‐year‐old, male, neutered Irish Setter was presented for subacute onset of coughing/gagging, fever and lethargy. Computed tomography showed paraoesophageal nodules. Exploratory thoracotomy was performed with excision of three tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and the dog was discharged 2 days postoperatively. Seven days after thoracotomy, the dog developed tachypnoea and haemoptysis. A thoracic computed tomography was performed 14 days after thoracotomy, which revealed left caudal lung lobe torsion. At surgery, the lung lobe torsion was confirmed, and the left caudal lung lobe was excised. The dog was discharged 3 days postoperatively. Lung lobe torsion following thoracic surgery is more commonly reported in humans, and rarely occurs in dogs without prior lung lobectomy. This case report shows that lung lobe torsion can be a complication of thoracic surgery, even without prior lung lobectomy.