Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
English Bulldogs breathing surgery: folded-flap palatoplasty vs
By Grimes, Janet A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2025·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Folded-flap palatoplasty is not superior to cut-and-sew staphylectomy for the treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in English Bulldogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of English Bulldogs with breathing problems due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome underwent two different surgeries: folded-flap palatoplasty (FFP) and standard staphylectomy (SS). After about a month, the dogs that had the SS surgery showed a greater improvement in their soft palate length, which is important for better airflow. While some owners felt their dogs improved after either surgery, the SS method appeared to be more effective overall. Based on these findings, standard staphylectomy might be the better option for treating this condition in Bulldogs.
People also search for: English Bulldog breathing problems surgery · brachycephalic airway syndrome treatment · staphylectomy recovery English Bulldog
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether folded-flap palatoplasty (FFP) results in improved respiratory outcomes compared to standard staphylectomy (SS). METHODS: English Bulldogs were randomized to receive FFP or SS in a parallel, equal-allocation, prospective study design at a single institution. Exercise-tolerance testing (ETT), arterial blood gas, head CT, and an owner survey were completed preoperatively and at recheck (approx 30 days postoperatively). Soft palate (SP) length and thickness and pharyngeal air volume were measured on blinded CT images. Linear mixed models and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. RESULTS: 16 dogs completed the study (FFP group, 8; SS group, 8) and 3 did not (excluded due to FFP dehiscence [2] and lack of recheck [1]). Median preoperative ETT grade was not different between groups (SS group, 1 [0 to 3]; FFP group, 1.5 [1 to 3]). Standard staphylectomy resulted in a greater reduction in SP length compared to FFP (P = .020; FFP, 5.79 ± 0.50 cm preoperatively, 4.86 ± 0.52 cm at recheck; SS, 6.13 ± 0.53 cm preoperatively, 4.57 ± 0.47 cm at recheck). No other variables differed between groups. At recheck, owners subjectively rated their dogs as improved (FFP group, 5; SS group, 8), unchanged (FFP group, 2), and not rated (FFP group, 1). CONCLUSIONS: Folded-flap palatoplasty did not improve SP thickness, pharyngeal air volume, ETT, arterial blood gas values, or owner survey variables more than SS in these English Bulldogs. Standard staphylectomy resulted in a greater reduction in SP length than FFP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Standard staphylectomy or FFP can be performed in English Bulldogs. Standard staphylectomy may be preferable due to dehiscence potential with FFP.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39842094/