Surgical management of laryngeal collapse associated with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in dogs

Abstract

To describe the use of cricoarytenoid lateralisation combined with thyroarytenoid caudo- lateralisation (arytenoid laryngoplasty) for the management of stage II and III laryngeal collapse in dogs. A retrospective study of a consecutive series of 12 dogs suffering from life-threatening stage II or III laryngeal collapse associated with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome. Pre-operatively, either stage II collapse (2/12) or stage III collapse (10/12) was confirmed on visual examination. In all cases, a left-sided arytenoid laryngoplasty was performed. Two dogs were euthanased postoperatively as a result of persistent life-threatening respiratory compromise. The procedure resulted in subjective enlargement of the rima glottidis and an associated improvement in respiratory function in the remaining 10 dogs. Follow-up, long-term outcome (median, 3·5 years) in these dogs indicated that all owners considered that the surgery had resulted in marked improvements in their dog's respiratory function, tolerance to exercise, and quality of life. Combined cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid caudo-lateralisation may be a useful procedure for treatment of stage II and III laryngeal collapse in the dog.