Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term survival and risks after permanent tracheostomy in dogs
By Occhipinti, Lindsay L & Hauptman, Joe G·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2014·Michigan State University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomies in dogs: 21 cases (2000-2012).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with severe breathing problems due to upper airway obstruction underwent a permanent tracheostomy, a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the neck to help them breathe. While this surgery can be effective, about half of the dogs experienced major complications, such as aspiration pneumonia, and some needed additional surgery. The average survival time after the procedure was around 11 months, but some dogs lived much longer, up to nearly four years. Unfortunately, a few dogs died suddenly at home after the surgery, likely due to airway issues.
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Abstract
This retrospective study reports long-term outcome, survival, and complications in dogs which received a permanent tracheostomy due to upper airway obstruction. Data were collected from medical records (n = 21) in 2 institutions over a 12-year period. Patients were followed until death, complications, causes of death, and survival times are reported. Major complications were reported in 50% of patients with 20% of patients receiving revision surgery. The most common complications were aspiration pneumonia and need for revision surgery. Median survival time was 328 days with 25% of patients surviving 1321 days or longer. Some (26%) patients died acutely at home at various times after surgery. Permanent tracheostomy is a viable procedure for patients with end stage upper airway obstruction; however, a subpopulation of patients suffers acute death at various times after surgery, which is thought to be due to airway obstruction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24688135/