👤 Masahiro Suematsu

To report the clinical characteristics of traditional (TTC) and W-shaped tracheal collapse (WTC) and the long-term outcomes of continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis (CETP) placement in dogs with grade IV tracheal collapse (TC). Retrospective case series. A total of 69 client-owned dogs. Medical records of dogs with grade IV TC, subclassified as TTC or WTC, treated using CETP between 2018 and 2021, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical signs, diagnostic results, intraoperative findings, surgical complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Of the 69 dogs, 45 had TTC and 24 had WTC. All were discharged after CETP placement. Preoperative stridor (p < .0001) and labored breathing (p = .0419) were more prevalent in patients with WTC than in those with TTC. The WTC group was 12.1 times more likely to require preoperative oxygen management than the TTC group (OR, 95% CI: 3.2-37.5). The 36-month postoperative survival rates were 75.7% and 90.9% in dogs with TTC and WTC, respectively. Postoperative laryngeal paralysis occurred in three dogs in the TTC group and two in the WTC group. Recurrent TC occurred in one dog in the TTC group and two in the WTC group. Seven of the eight dogs with postoperative complications required surgical intervention or intraluminal stent placement. Although dogs with WTC showed more severe preoperative respiratory symptoms, their postoperative outcomes were comparable with those of dogs with TTC. CETP placement is a viable surgical treatment option for dogs with WTC, even those with severe respiratory symptoms. Show less

To describe the surgical placement of a continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis (CETP) and report the subsequent postoperative clinical outcomes in dogs with tracheal collapse. Retrospective case series. Fifty-four dogs. Medical records of dogs in which cervical and/or thoracic inlet tracheal collapse was diagnosed and treated by placement of a CETP between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed to evaluate postoperative complications, changes in respiratory function, and survival. Histological examinations of tracheal tissues performed in 2 dogs at 51 and 57 months after surgery were also reviewed. Fifty-three (98%) dogs survived to discharge. Postoperative complications included laryngeal paralysis (1 dog), disseminated intravascular coagulation (1 dog), and recurrent tracheal collapse (2 dogs). None of the dogs exhibited clinical evidence of tracheal necrosis. Preoperative dry, harsh cough resolved in 87% of the dogs after surgery. Goose honking cough was resolved in 25 of 26 (96%) dogs. Median follow-up time was 30 months (range, 16 days to 76 months). The survival rate at 36 months was 86% (CI: 75%-96%). On histological examination in 2 dogs, the tracheal tissue surrounding the prosthesis was well preserved and without evidence of chronic inflammation. Continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis placement in dogs with tracheal collapse resulted in low postoperative complication rates and good long-term outcomes. Continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis placement provides a viable alternative surgical option for managing dogs with tracheal collapse. Show less