Outcome of temporary tracheostomy tube-placement following surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in 42 dogs

Objective

To describe the use, complications and outcome of temporary tracheostomy tube placement as part of the management of acute upper airway obstruction in the postoperative period following multi-level airway surgery in patients with brachycephalic...

Methods

Retrospective review of records of dogs surgically treated for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome that had a temporary tracheostomy tube placed in the postoperative period.

Results

Forty-two dogs were included. Median duration of temporary tracheostomy tube placement was 2 days (range 1 to 7). The major complication rate was 83.3%, minor complication rate was 71.4%, resulting in an overall postoperative complication rate of 95.2%. The most common postoperative complications were tracheostomy tube obstruction (32/42), cough (25/42) and tracheostomy tube dislodgement (16/42). Temporary tracheostomy tube management was classified as successful in 97.6%. Dyspnoea was the most common clinical sign in the short-term postoperative follow-up period, while dyspnoea and increased upper respiratory tract noise were the most common clinical sign in the long term. The median duration of follow-up was 251 days.

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