Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Complications after one or two ear canal removal surgeries in dogs
By Coleman, Kristin A & Smeak, Daniel D·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2016·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Complication Rates After Bilateral versus Unilateral Total Ear Canal Ablation with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy for End-Stage Inflammatory Ear Disease in Dogs: 79 Ears.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with severe ear problems underwent surgery to remove their ear canals, either on one side or both sides at once. The study looked at complications that occurred during and shortly after the surgeries. While some dogs experienced issues like facial nerve problems or minor incision complications, the rates were similar between those who had one ear done and those who had both done at the same time. The results suggest that performing the surgery on both ears in one go is a safe option for dogs with end-stage ear disease.
People also search for: dog ear surgery complications · total ear canal ablation for dogs · dog ear infection treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether perioperative complication rates are different between unilateral (ULS) versus single-stage bilateral (BLSS) total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) surgeries. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Fifity-seven dogs (79 ears) undergoing TECA-LBO at a single institution over 14 years. METHODS: Medical records of dogs undergoing TECA-LBO for end-stage inflammatory non-neoplastic ear disease from March 1999 to September 2013 at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were evaluated for intraoperative and early postoperative complications associated with the procedure. Inclusion criteria were clinical and/or histopathologic diagnosis of chronic otitis externa, surgical treatment by TECA-LBO, and a minimum of 2 week follow-up data. RESULTS: Twenty dogs (40 ears) underwent BLSS and 37 dogs (39 ears) had ULS. Complications were recorded for 29 of 40 ears (72.5%) in the BLSS group (40.0% facial nerve, 15.0% ocular, and 32.5% minor incisional complications) and 25 of 39 ears (64.1%) in the ULS group (33.3% facial nerve, 12.8% ocular, and 23.1% minor incisional complications). Dogs undergoing BLSS did not have a significantly higher total complication rate, or higher neurologic, ocular, or incisional complication rates, than the ULS procedure. No major anesthetic complications affecting outcome were recorded for either group. CONCLUSION: Anesthetic and early surgical complication rates after ULS and BLSS were not significantly different in our study. Offering single-stage bilateral TECA-LBO procedures for otherwise healthy dogs with end-stage inflammatory otitis externa is a viable treatment option without additional risk for complication.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27357276/