Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Less invasive surgery for dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis
By von Pfeil, Dirsko J F et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2014·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Less invasive unilateral arytenoid lateralization: a modified technique for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis in dogs: technique description and outcome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 22 dogs with breathing problems due to idiopathic laryngeal paralysis underwent a new, less invasive surgery called less-invasive unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization (LI-UCAL). Most dogs showed significant improvement in their breathing and exercise tolerance after the surgery, with 95.5% of owners reporting satisfaction with the results. The surgery took about 32 minutes, and dogs were typically discharged just 6 hours later. While there were some complications, including a few cases of aspiration pneumonia, most dogs recovered well and were able to breathe more easily in the long term.
People also search for: dog breathing problems surgery · laryngeal paralysis treatment in dogs · recovery after dog throat surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To (1) describe a modification of conventional unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization (UCAL), called less-invasive unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization (LI-UCAL) for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (LP); (2) report clinical outcome of LI-UCAL; and (3) describe the effect of early discharge after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 22). METHODS: Medical records (January 2009 to October 2011) of dogs diagnosed with idiopathic LP that had LI-UCAL were reviewed. Signalment, clinical signs, laboratory tests, imaging, concurrent medical conditions, information from the anesthesia record, and hospitalization time were documented. Follow-up was obtained by direct examination, questionnaire, and review of medical records from referring veterinarians. RESULTS: Dogs included in the study had variable degrees and duration of respiratory distress before surgery. Median surgery time was 32 minutes. Median hospitalization was 6 hours, and median follow-up was 427 days. Long-term respiratory function, as reported by owners at last follow-up, improved in 95.5% of dogs after surgery; exercise tolerance improved by 90%. Major complications included death secondary to aspiration pneumonia (9%), aspiration pneumonia from which dogs recovered within 3 days after administration of antimicrobials (9%), and development of right-sided laryngeal collapse that required right sided LI-UCAL (4.5%). At long-term follow-up, 95.5% of owners were satisfied with the surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: LI-UCAL is a feasible surgical technique and resulted in improvement of clinical signs related to LP. Calm recoveries without adverse effects such as respiratory distress were associated with early discharge. LI-UCAL could be considered an alternative to conventional UCAL.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24708449/