A Rare Case of Hiatal Hernia Associated with Splenic Congestion Managed by Splenectomy and Fundopexy in a Cat

Background: Hiatal hernia is an uncommon disorder of the feline gastrointestinal tract characterized by protrusion of portions of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus. Clinical signs may include vomiting, reflux, dyspnea, and, in severe conditions, acute respiratory distress. When adjacent organs undergo torsion or vascular compromise, surgical management becomes essential. The present report describes a rare case of hiatal hernia accompanied by splenic congestion and necrosis, successfully treated via splenectomy and modified fundopexy. Case presentation: An eight month old intact male domestic shorthair cat weighing ۴ kg was presented with repetitive vomiting and respiratory distress. Radiographic and contrast imaging with Visipaque ۳۱۰ revealed a type III hiatal hernia and displacement of the gastric fundus into the thoracic cavity. Following stabilization, midline laparotomy under isoflurane anesthesia was performed. The stomach and spleen were reduced into the abdominal cavity. The spleen was found enlarged, dark, and necrotic; therefore, total splenectomy using double ligation of the splenic vessels was performed. The hiatal opening was tightened using absorbable PDS ۴ ۰ sutures and a modified fundopexy was applied to secure the fundus to the abdominal wall. Thoracocentesis was performed before recovery to evacuate air and pleural effusion, and the patient was transferred to the ICU. After ۲۴ hours of oxygen therapy, respiration stabilized, and the cat was discharged. Result &Conclusion: Successful management of hiatal hernia with concomitant splenic necrosis in this cat demonstrates that early diagnosis by imaging and combined surgical correction including splenectomy and fundopexy can result in favorable clinical outcomes. Intensive postoperative care, especially oxygen therapy, plays a crucial role in recovery from respiratory distress.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hiatal Hernia ، Cat ، Splenectomy ، Fundopexy ، Respiratory Distress