The effect of two modifications of unilateral arytenoid lateralization on rima glottidis area in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcome and percentage increase in rima glottidis area achieved using a combined technique of cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid cartilage lateralization compared with cricoarytenoid cartilage lateralization alone in live anesthetized dogs clinically affected with bilateral laryngeal paralysis.


METHODS
Randomized prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Twenty dogs with bilateral laryngeal paralysis. Methods-Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was diagnosed by direct laryngoscopy. Each dog was allocated randomly to 1 of 2 surgical groups: CAL (cricoarytenoid lateralization) and CTAL (cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid lateralization). Photographs were taken of each larynx before and after surgery, the images were digitized, and the preoperative and postoperative areas of each rima glottidis were measured. The percentage increase in rima glottidis area produced by each of the arytenoid lateralization procedures was compared. Follow-up was obtained by telephone survey of owners and referring veterinarians.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in mean (+/- SD) percentage increase in rima glottidis area for the CAL group (241.5 +/- 42.9%) or the CTAL group (236.4 +/- 44.5%). Clinical follow-up (median, 18 months postoperatively) indicated 60% of the dogs were still alive and only 1 dog had died as a result of complications related to surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
CTAL for the treatment of canine laryngeal paralysis does not significantly increase rima glottidis area compared with CAL alone. The mean percentage increase in rima glottidis area obtained with both procedures was comparable to previously reported mean increases with CAL in live anesthetized dogs. Both procedures resulted in good long-term clinical outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
CTAL is as effective as CAL in providing an increased rima glottidis for the treatment of bilateral laryngeal paralysis in dogs.
Demetriou
Jackie L
JL
Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Kirby
Barbara M
BM
D000818:Animals; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*