Combined endoluminal stenting and extraluminal ring placement in dogs results in comparable survival to historic data on singular interventions.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes of dogs undergoing combined endoluminal tracheal stent (ELS) and extraluminal tracheal ring (ELTR) placement for tracheal malformation and collapse. METHODS: Retrospective clinical cohort study including 19 dogs diagnosed with tracheal malformation and collapse. Case records were reviewed of dogs presented for treatment of tracheal malformation and collapse between 2005 and 2022. Data retrieved included sex, breed, age at the time of each procedure, presenting clinical signs, preoperative imaging results, severity of tracheal collapse, surgical data, postoperative complications, and patient outcome. RESULTS: The median age at the time of the initial procedure was 68.5 months (range, 37 to 132 months). Eighteen of 19 dogs (95%) were Yorkshire Terriers. Seventeen of 19 dogs (89%) underwent preoperative tracheobronchoscopy, with 15 of 17 (88%) diagnosed with tracheal malformation and grade IV collapse. Three dogs had a single-session combined procedure, and 16 of 19 dogs (84%) had a second procedure, with a median time between procedures of 68.5 months (range, 0 to 93 months). Eight of 16 dogs (50%) had a major complication requiring intervention at some point after their second procedure. Fifteen of 19 (79%) were known to be deceased, with a median survival time of 13 months (range, 0 to 75 months) postoperatively from the last procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of tracheal malformation, commonly seen in Yorkshire Terriers, was a frequent justification for combined tracheal procedures. Postoperative complication rates were high, but survival times were similar to those of previous reports of dogs receiving ELTR or ELS alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs undergoing combined procedures for tracheal malformation and collapse do not appear to have a worse prognosis than dogs undergoing only ELTR or ELS.