title: Retrospective evaluation of postoperative nasotracheal tubes for oxygen supplementation in dogs following surgery for brachycephalic syndrome: 36 cases (2003-2007).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the utility of nasotracheal tubes in postoperative oxygen supplementation in dogs following corrective surgery for brachycephalic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study 2003-2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six client-owned dogs that underwent corrective surgery for brachycephalic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medical records were reviewed for animals that underwent surgical interventions for brachycephalic syndrome including palatoplasty, ventriculectomy, and rhinoplasty. Data collected included signalment, presenting complaints, analgesic and surgical interventions, type of supplemental oxygen therapy, complications and mortality occurring during hospitalization. A nasotracheal tube (NTT) was placed in 20 dogs at the end of surgery; 16 dogs received other forms of oxygen supplementation (8) or no oxygen supplementation (8) during recovery. The total number of postoperative complications was similar in both groups (8/20 dogs with NTTs and 7/16 in those without NTTs). However, respiratory distress was observed in 5 dogs without NTTs but was not observed in any dog while an NTT was in place. One dog in each group died postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of an NTT was found to be easy and may offer benefit in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome as a noninvasive means of delivering oxygen. The use of NTT may minimize severe postoperative morbidity, in particular by reducing postoperative respiratory distress.
authors.affiliation: Division of Small Animal Surgery and Orthopedics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. david.spreng@kkh.unibe.ch
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Senn
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sigrist
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forterre
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spreng
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea; D016896:Treatment Outcome