Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Laser surgery to improve breathing in brachycephalic dogs with airway
By Oechtering, Gerhard U et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2016·Small Animal Department, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A Novel Approach to Brachycephalic Syndrome. 2. Laser-Assisted Turbinectomy (LATE).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 158 brachycephalic dogs, including Pugs and French Bulldogs, were treated for severe breathing problems caused by brachycephalic syndrome. They underwent a new laser surgery called laser-assisted turbinectomy (LATE), which removed obstructing nasal tissue to improve airflow. Most dogs had successful outcomes, with only a few experiencing minor bleeding during the procedure. After six months, a small number of dogs needed additional surgery due to regrowth of the nasal tissue. Overall, LATE proved to be an effective solution for helping these dogs breathe better.
People also search for: brachycephalic dog breathing problems · laser surgery for Pug airway issues · French Bulldog nasal surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new surgical procedure based on interventional, laser-assisted removal of obstructing turbinate tissue to improve endonasal airway patency in brachycephalic dogs and to confirm the short and long term results using computed tomography (CT) and rhinoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Brachycephalic dogs (n = 158; 70 Pugs, 77 French Bulldogs, 11 English Bulldogs) referred for treatment of severe respiratory distress because of brachycephalic syndrome. METHODS: Computed tomography and anterior and posterior rhinoscopy were performed to evaluate endonasal obstruction. Laser-assisted turbinectomy (LATE) using a diode laser was performed as part of a multilevel surgery. Nasal conchae that were causing airway obstruction were removed. RESULTS: The obstructing parts of the conchae were safely and efficiently removed by LATE, shaping a patent nasal airway in all dogs. The newly developed surgical procedure involved 3 steps: turbinectomy of the (1) concha nasalis ventralis; (2) rostral aberrantly growing turbinates (RAT); and (3) caudal aberrantly growing turbinates (CAT). Complications of the procedure included transient intraoperative hemorrhage in 51 of 158 dogs (32.3%); however, a temporary tamponade was necessary in only 2/158 dogs (1.3%). After 6 months, regrowth of turbinates required resection of possibly re-obstructing tissue in 25/158 dogs (15.8%; 1 Pug and 24 French Bulldogs). CONCLUSION: LATE is an effective method for creating a patent nasal airway in brachycephalic dogs with intranasal obstruction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26790634/