Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Complications and outcomes of laryngeal surgery in dogs with airway
By Chan, Alexander J et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2025·Bristol Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Complication rate and outcomes of laryngeal cuneiformectomy in dogs with advanced laryngeal collapse.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with breathing problems due to brachycephalic airway syndrome (a condition common in flat-faced breeds) underwent surgery, some receiving an additional procedure called cuneiformectomy to help with severe laryngeal collapse. The study found that adding this procedure did not increase the risk of complications compared to surgery alone, and both groups showed significant improvements in their breathing after the surgery. Dogs that had the cuneiformectomy experienced better respiratory function, making it a safe option for those with more advanced issues.
People also search for: dog breathing problems surgery · brachycephalic airway syndrome treatment · cuneiformectomy for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the complication rate and outcomes of dogs undergoing multilevel airway surgery for brachycephalic airway syndrome (BOAS) with and without the addition of uni- or bilateral cuneiformectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: A total of 180 dogs undergoing BOAS surgery: 94 dogs undergoing modified multilevel surgery (non-PC); 86 additionally undergoing cuneiformectomy (PC). METHODS: Case records from the University of Cambridge and Animal Health Trust databases between 2014 and 2021 were analyzed including data on laryngeal collapse grade, respiratory functional grading scores, BOAS index, hospitalization length and complications. RESULTS: Neither the incidence risk of overall (non-PC = 19.4%, PC = 16.3%, p = .758), nor major (non-PC = 7.4%, PC = 11.6%, p = .482) complications differed between non-PC and PC dogs. Median hospitalization duration (non-PC = 1 day, PC = 1 day) did not differ between the two groups (p = .743). Both BOAS grade (median reduction = 1, p < .0001) and BOAS index (median reduction = 28.5%, p < .0001) reduced in dogs that underwent cuneiformectomy. Lower BCS was associated with increased postoperative complications (odds ratio = 0.452, p = .004) when preoperative BOAS grade and gender were controlled. CONCLUSION: Cuneiformectomy was not associated with a higher incidence risk of complications than multilevel BOAS surgery alone. Significant improvements in respiratory parameters were observed following cuneiformectomy in addition to multilevel airway surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cuneiformectomy represents a safe and effective adjunctive technique to manage higher grade laryngeal collapse in dogs with BOAS.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40457630/