Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Soft palate surgery options for breathing issues in brachycephalic
By Dunié-Mérigot, A et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2010·Centre Hospitalier Vé, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparative use of CO₂ laser, diode laser and monopolar electrocautery for resection of the soft palate in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 60 brachycephalic dogs (like Bulldogs and Pugs) with breathing problems underwent surgery to remove part of their soft palate to help them breathe better. They were treated with either a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser, a diode laser, or electrocautery. The dogs treated with the CO₂ laser or electrocautery had better outcomes, with most showing significant improvement in their breathing within 24 hours after surgery. Overall, 79% of the dogs had excellent results, and the CO₂ laser group had shorter surgery times and less bleeding compared to the others.
People also search for: dog breathing problems surgery · CO2 laser for dog soft palate · brachycephalic airway syndrome treatment
Abstract
Clinical results, complications and the outcome of using either a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser, diode laser or electrocautery (ELEC) for resection of the soft palate with an extended palatoplasty technique in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome were compared. Dogs were randomly allocated into three groups (n=20 in each group): ELEC, diode and CO₂ groups. The palatoplasty was made at the rostral aspect of the tonsils. A respiratory clinical score, ranging from 0 (normal) to 4 (cyanosis), was attributed to each dog before surgery and at 0 hours, 24 hours, two weeks and six months after surgery. A favourable outcome was defined as a one point or greater decrease in score 24 hours after surgery. The proportion of dogs with a favourable outcome was significantly higher in the CO₂ (n=15) and ELEC groups (n=15) in comparison with the diode group (n=7) (OR=5.6, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.4 to 21.9). Surgical time was significantly shorter (P<0.001; mean [sd] 510 [178] seconds), and bleeding was less common (P<0.001; 30 per cent of cases) in the CO₂ group. Complications were most frequent with the diode group (two cases of death and two cases of tracheostomy). The final outcome for all groups (n=57) was considered excellent in 79 per cent of cases and was considered good in 21 per cent.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21257486/