Abstract
A double-layer sheet of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was used to reconstruct
a large chronic diaphragmatic defect in a 4-month-old kitten. The SIS graft was
easy to use, postoperative recovery was uneventful, no side effects of the SIS
implant were observed, and the SIS graft resulted in restoration of normal
clinical function while allowing growth of the kitten without restriction of chest
wall development. Herniation of fat through the caval hiatus was diagnosed 29
months postoperatively on a CT scan. The cat was free of clinical signs.