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Slovenian Veterinary Research, vol.59, no.1, pp.47-57, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome and mortality of diaphragmatic hernia in cats and present herniorrhaphy results. Diagnostic and surgical data from 25 cats with diaphragmatic hernias were analyzed retrospectively. The cats were between the ages of 2 months and 4 years, included 9 cases of males (5/9 neutered) and 16 cases of females (9/16 spayed). Acute cases were 12/25 and chronic cases were 13/25. Diaphragmatic rupture locations were defined according to the points that are determined based on a clockwise scale. Location was classified as multiple in 10 (40 %), ventral in 7 (28 %), right in 5 (20 %), and left in 3 (12 %) cases. The three most frequently herniated organs were small intestine (20, 80 %), liver (16, 64 %), and omentum (15, 60 %). Postoperative survival rates were 83.3 % for acute cases and 69.2 % for chronic. Full recovery was achieved in 19 (76 %) of the cats. Results suggest that the location and size of diaphragm ruptures, the organs herniated, and the presence of concurrent pathologies directly affect mortality. Mortality is higher in cases with concurrent injuries, large diaphragmatic ruptures, and excessively herniated organs.