A small‐bore wire‐guided chest tube for the initial stabilisation of septic uroperitoneum in a dog

The purpose of this report was to describe the emergency management and subsequent surgical treatment of a 6‐year‐old, entire, male Epagneul Breton referred for septic uroperitoneum of 5 days duration. Clinical stabilisation was achieved by the insertion of a percutaneous small‐bore wire‐guided chest tube as an abdominal drain in association with conventional medical treatment. The small‐bore wire‐guided chest tube was inserted percutaneously into the abdomen, under ultrasound guidance, using a modified Seldinger technique. It was connected to a closed active collection system, and successfully drained the peritoneal urinary effusion. The medical treatment associated with the application of the small‐bore wire‐guided chest tube contributed to the patient's stabilisation, which was reached within 5 hours from arrival, allowing for an exploratory laparotomy with repair of the bladder laceration. The small‐bore wire‐guided chest tube was replaced during surgery by a Jackson–Pratt drain, which remained in place for 4 days postoperatively. The dog has completely recovered, and no complications were recorded.