Granulomatous Inflammation and Pericarditis Induced by Silk Granuloma Related to Previous Surgical Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a Dog

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The present report describes granulomatous inflammation and pericarditis induced by silk granuloma related to a previous surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in a dog. Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus is usually accomplished by tying two pliable, heavy, non-absorbable suture ligatures using materials such as silk. In veterinary medicine, silk granuloma formation associated with patent ductus arteriosus closure has been rarely reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the clinical symptoms caused by granulomatous inflammation related to the surgical ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus in a dog. ABSTRACT: Surgical ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus is regarded as a standard treatment approach with a low complication rate if performed by experienced surgeons, and it has been performed successfully for decades in dogs. However, there are no reports describing the clinical symptoms related to granulomatous inflammation after the surgical ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus. This report describes the clinical symptoms caused by granulomatous inflammation and subacute pericarditis in a dog that had undergone the surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus 2 years previously. Exploratory thoracotomy was performed for subtotal pericardiectomy, and a biopsy was performed to obtain specimens for histopathological examination and culture tests. The clinical symptoms were relieved after surgery. The persistent leukocytosis improved with steroid administration. This case illustrates that the granulomatous inflammatory response associated with silk suture granuloma is a rare postoperative complication of ductal ligation. In such cases, pericardiectomy can help relieve the clinical symptoms.