33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objective: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of ultrasonic scalpel palatoplasty in dogs with BOAS.

Materials and methods: Brachycephalic dogs diagnosed with BOAS were enrolled. Preoperative thoracic radiographs and upper airway endoscopy were performed. Exclusion criteria included tracheal abnormalities, laryngeal hemiplegia, grade 2 or grade 3 laryngeal collapse, or evidence of pneumonia requiring treatment prior to surgery. The presence of preoperative digestive symptoms and/or grade 1 laryngeal collapse was recorded. Palatoplasty was performed using a harmonic scalpel with histological analysis of the resected soft palate. Dogs that exhibited complications unrelated to the surgery during the anesthesia or recovery period were excluded. Short-, medium- and long-term outcomes were evaluated through a telephone interview 8 days after discharge, an endoscopic recheck 3 weeks postoperatively, and a final interview with the owners 4 months later.

Results: Eighteen dogs were included: 15 were French Bulldogs and 3 English Bulldogs. No complications were reported during the postoperative period. At 3 weeks postoperatively, all dogs showed improvement or resolution of both respiratory and digestive symptoms. Postoperative endoscopy showed complete healing in all but one patient. Grade 1 laryngeal collapse was still present in dogs where it was left untreated. A few animals developed new lesions such as laryngeal granulomas, tonsillar inflammation and laryngeal sacculae eversion. Owners reported excellent long-term outcomes.

Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel palatoplasty is an effective bleeding-free technique. Postoperative follow-up and endoscopy showed significant clinical improvement and good healing of the palatal tissues.