Adolfo Maria TAMBELLA, Cecilia VULLO, Fabrizio DINI, Angela Palumbo PICCIONELLO, Anna Rita ATTILI

Carbon dioxide laser-assisted staphylectomy in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs

Elongated soft palate is a common upper airway anomaly in brachycephalic dogs. The scientific literature considering this pathology in nonbrachycephalic dogs is limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the importance of the elongated soft palate in nonbrachycephalic dogs (n = 10), carrying out, at the same time, a comparison with selected brachycephalic dogs (n = 19), on the effect of carbon dioxide laser staphylectomy. The selected population had only elongated soft palates and no other disorders. The surgery was rapid and uncomplicated; no suture material was used. The comprehensive recovery was significant (P < 0.0001): 68.4% of brachycephalic dogs and 100% of nonbrachycephalic dogs had complete recovery. The incomplete recovery in older brachycephalic dogs matched a more advanced pathologic phase. This study suggests that, in the case of high respiratory tract alteration and poor exercise tolerance, it is imperative to consider in differential diagnosis the elongated soft palate in nonbrachycephalic breeds, too; their clinical signs are less severe and frequently underestimated. The surgical treatment has a favorable prognosis when the only alteration is elongated soft palate. The carbon dioxide laser has been confirmed as an useful option for staphylectomy in dogs.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Key words: Elongated soft palate, laser surgery, brachycephalic, nonbrachycephalic, dog

Carbon dioxide laser-assisted staphylectomy in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs

Keywords:

Key words: Elongated soft palate, laser surgery, brachycephalic, nonbrachycephalic, dog,

PDF

___

Bright RM. Surgery of elongated soft palate (staphylectomy). In: Bojrab MJ, Ellison GW, Slocum B. Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery. 4th ed. Baltimore, MD, USA: Williams and Wilkins; 1998. pp. 143–144.
Bjorling D, McAnulty J, Swainson S. Surgically treatable upper respiratory disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2000; 30: 1227–1251.
Riecks TW, Birchard SJ, Stephens JA. Surgical correction of brachycephalic syndrome in dogs: 62 cases (1991–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007; 230: 1324–1328.
Hedlund CS. Chirurgia delle prime vie respiratorie. In: Fossum TW, editor. Chirurgia dei piccoli animali. 3rd ed. Milan, Italy: Elsevier-Masson Edizioni; 2008. pp. 834–891 (book chapter in Italian).
Wykes PM. Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. Probl Vet Med 1991; 3: 188–197.
Coyne BE, Fingland RB. Hypoplasia of the trachea in dogs: 103 cases (1974-1990). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992; 201: 768–772.
Amis TC, O’Neill N, Wheatley JR, van der Touw T, di Somma E, Brancatisano A. Soft palate muscle responses to negative upper airway pressure. J Appl Physiol 1999; 86: 523–530.
Torrez CV, Hunt GB. Results of surgical correction of abnormalities associated with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in dogs in Australia. J Small Anim Pract 2006; 47: 150–154.
Brdecka D, Rawlings C, Howerth E, Cornell K, Stiffler K. A histopathological comparison of two techniques for soft palate resection in normal dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2007; 43: 39–
Hardie EM, Ramirez O 3rd, Clary EM, Kornegay JN, Correa MT, Feimster RA, Robertson ER. Abnormalities of the thoracic bellows: stress fractures of the ribs and hiatal hernia. J Vet Intern Med 1998; 12: 279–287.
Poncet CM, Dupré GP, Freiche VG, Bouvy BM. Longterm results of upper respiratory syndrome surgery and gastrointestinal tract medical treatment in 51 brachycephalic dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2006; 47: 137–142.
Knecht CD. Upper airway obstruction in brachycephalic dogs. Compend Contin Educ Vet 1979; 1: 25–30.
Hendricks JC. Brachycephalic airway syndrome. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1992; 22: 1145–1153.
Davidson EB, Davis MS, Campbell GA, Williamson KK, Payton ME, Healey TS, Bartels KE. Evaluation of carbon dioxide laser and conventional incisional techniques for resection of soft palates in brachycephalic dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001; 219: 776–781.
Harvey CE. Upper airway obstruction surgery II: soft palate resection in brachycephalic dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1982; 18: 538–544.
Findji L, Dupré G. Folded flap palatoplasty for treatment of elongated soft palates in 55 dogs. Eur J Companion Anim Pract 2009; 19: 125–132.
Bright RM, Wheaton LG. A modified surgical technique for elongated soft palate in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1983; 19: 288–292.
Dunié-Mérigot A, Bouvy B, Poncet C. Comparative use of CO 2 laser, diode laser and monopolar electrocautery for resection of the soft palate in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. Vet Rec 2010; 167: 700–704.
Brdecka D, Rawlings C, Perry AC, Anderson JR. Use of an electrothermal, feedback-controlled, bipolar sealing device for resection of the elongated portion of the soft palate in dogs with obstructive upper airway disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008; 233: 1265–1269.
Michelsen J. Use of the harmonic scalpel for soft palate resection in dogs: a series of three cases. Aust Vet J 2011; 89: 511–514.
Clark GN, Sinibaldi KR. Use of a carbon dioxide laser for treatment of elongated soft palate in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994; 204: 1779–1781.
Lauretano AM, Khosla RK, Richardson G, Matheson J, Weiss JW, Graham C, Fried MP. Efficacy of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. Lasers Surg Med 1997; 21: 109–116.
Durante EJ, Kriek NP. Clinical and histological comparison of tissue damage and healing following incisions with the CO 2 laser and stainless steel surgical blade in dogs. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1993; 64: 116–120.
Wilder-Smith P, Arrastia AM, Liaw LH, Berns M. Incision properties and thermal effects of three CO 2 lasers in soft tissue. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1995; 79: 685–691.
Courey MS, Fomin D, Smith T, Huang S, Sanders D, Reinisch L. Histologic and physiologic effects of electrocautery, CO 2 laser, and radiofrequency injury in the porcine soft palate. Laryngoscope 1999; 109: 1316–1319.
Berger N, Eeg PH. Veterinary Laser Surgery – A Practical Guide. 1st ed. Ames, IA, USA: Blackwell Publishing Professional; 2006.
Pink JJ, Doyle RS, Hughes JM, Tobin E, Bellenger CR. Laryngeal collapse in seven brachycephalic puppies. J Small Anim Pract 2006; 47: 131–135.