Surgical management of cricopharyngeal dysphagia in dogs: 14 cases (1989-2001).
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcome of and complications associated with cricopharyngeal myotomy or myectomy for treatment of cricopharyngeal dysphagia (CPD) in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
14 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of dogs with CPD that underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy or myectomy were examined. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians and clinical examinations when feasible.


RESULTS
16 surgical procedures were performed on the 14 dogs. Dysphagia was completely resolved immediately after surgery in 1 dog, and clinical signs did not recur (follow-up time of 8 years); a second dog also had immediate complete resolution of dysphagia, but follow-up time was only 10 days. Three dogs had transient complete resolution with a mean time to recurrence of dysphagia of 12.3 weeks (range, 2 to 36 weeks). Three dogs had permanent partial resolution. Six dogs had no improvement after surgery. Eight of the 14 dogs were euthanatized because of problems related to CPD, including persistent dysphagia (n = 8) and aspiration pneumonia (5).


CONCLUSIONS
The failure rate for dogs undergoing surgical treatment of CPD may be high, particularly if concurrent aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition is not addressed prior to surgery. For those dogs with concurrent diseases, more aggressive medical management, such as enteral tube feeding, may be warranted rather than surgery. In dogs with CPD complicated by other anatomic or functional conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, laryngeal paralysis, and esophageal stricture, surgery may also not be indicated.
Warnock
Jennifer J
JJ
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Marks
Stanley L
SL
Pollard
Rachel
R
Kyles
Andrew E
AE
Davidson
Autumn
A
D000818:Animals; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome