Postoperative results of unilateral arytenoid lateralization for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis in dogs: 39 cases (1996-2002)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate postoperative results for dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis that underwent unilateral arytenoid lateralization (UAL).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 39 dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis.

Procedure: Medical records were reviewed, and information on surgical technique, hospitalization time, postoperative treatment, and complications was obtained. Owners were contacted by telephone for additional information if necessary.

Results: In all dogs, UAL had been performed by a single surgeon who used a standard surgical technique. Long-term follow-up information was available for all 39 dogs; mean follow-up time was 29.6 months (range, 3 to 61 months). Seven (18%) dogs developed postoperative pneumonia, and 6 of the 7 recovered with treatment. Twenty-two of the 39 (56%) dogs had minor complications, including unresolved coughing or gagging, continued exercise intolerance, vomiting, and seroma formation. Owners of 35 of the 39 (90%) dogs reported an improvement in postoperative quality-of-life score. Median survival time was 12 months; only 1 dog was euthanized because of respiratory tract disease following surgery.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Results suggest that UAL will improve quality of life in most dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis. However, the complication rate is high, with postoperative pneumonia being the most important major complication. Minor complications were common but did not adversely affect owner-assigned quality-of-life scores in most dogs.