Comparative clinical outcomes of elongated soft palate in brachycephalic dogs by surgical treatment using the ultrasonic scalpel and bipolar sealing device techniques

Abstract

Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndromes (BAOS) are the most common respiratory problems in brachycephalic dogs. Surgical treatment which are staphylectomy and alaplasty is commonly used for correction primary lesions of BAOS. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical outcome of post staphylectomy using ultrasonic scalpel and bipolar sealing devices. Twenty brachycephalic dogs were included for staphylectomy and randomly separated into two groups. Surgical time, perioperative blood loss, pain score and clinical score of respiratory function were recorded at day 1 7 14 21 and 28 post-operative. The excised soft palate at day 0 and 21 was recorded lateral thermal tissue injury and histopathological evaluation. Surgical time, lateral thermal tissue injury, clinical score of respiratory function and pain score were not significantly difference between groups. Both groups, the clinical score of respiratory function after surgery was significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to before surgery. Pre and post-operative inflammatory score and re-epithelialization score were not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, both surgical equipment, ultrasonic scalpel device and bipolar sealing device can be effectively used for staphylectomy with good surgical outcomes and no different inflammation of soft palate.