Simini Surgery Review: Small Animal Edition

Veterinary Surgery January 2026 – Soft Tissue Part 1: Septic Peritonitis Lavage & Hepatic Lobectomy Outcomes

Carl Damiani Season 1 Episode 37

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0:00 | 11:49

In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we begin our soft tissue coverage from the January 2026 issue of Veterinary Surgery with two studies that tackle some of the most challenging abdominal conditions surgeons face.

From septic peritonitis management to right divisional hepatic lobectomy, these papers highlight the balance between aggressive surgical intervention and careful perioperative management in critically ill patients.

In this episode:

Campbell et al. — A comprehensive review of septic peritonitis in small animals, focusing on early recognition, rapid source control, abdominal lavage, drainage strategies, and perioperative care. The review highlights emerging concerns about the biologic effects of large-volume saline lavage, including tissue irritation, altered electrolyte environments, and potential impairment of mesothelial cell function during prolonged exposure. 

Foster et al. — A multi-institutional retrospective study evaluating 70 dogs undergoing right divisional hepatic lobectomy, one of the most technically demanding liver procedures in veterinary surgery. While intraoperative complications occurred in 54.3% of cases, primarily due to hemorrhage, the perioperative mortality rate was only 2.9%, reflecting improved patient selection and perioperative management. The study also found no difference in complication rates between surgical techniques, including staplers, vessel sealing devices, and traditional ligation. 

Together, these papers reinforce a central theme in soft tissue surgery: success often depends as much on perioperative strategy and patient selection as it does on surgical technique itself.

🎓 Journal Articles Discussed

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