Evaluation of palatal snoring surgery in an animal model

Abstract

Objective We introduce an animal model to reproduce and measure palatal snoring and to assess the effectiveness of cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation and injection snoreplasty versus a control (no palatal intervention) on treatment of palatal flutter snoring. Study design and setting An anesthetized laboratory canine model uses 2 simultaneous temporary tracheotomies. An inferior tracheotomy is cannulated with an endotracheal tube for ventilation. A superior tracheotomy is cannulated with a tube passed cephalad and seated in the hypopharynx. Negative pressure applied to the upper tube leads to partial collapse of the upper airway with palatal fluttering, and the anesthetized dog snores. Videostroboscopy records palatal flutter frequency before and after surgical intervention. Preoperative and postoperative palatal assessments are made on 15 beagles. Results Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation and injection snoreplasty objectively stiffen the canine soft palate with diminished snoring compared with controls. Conclusion and significance We provide a reproducible animal model to experimentally measure new interventions to treat palatal flutter snoring.