title: Long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomies in dogs: 21 cases (2000-2012).
abstract: This retrospective study reports long-term outcome, survival, and complications in dogs which received a permanent tracheostomy due to upper airway obstruction. Data were collected from medical records (n = 21) in 2 institutions over a 12-year period. Patients were followed until death, complications, causes of death, and survival times are reported. Major complications were reported in 50% of patients with 20% of patients receiving revision surgery. The most common complications were aspiration pneumonia and need for revision surgery. Median survival time was 328 days with 25% of patients surviving 1321 days or longer. Some (26%) patients died acutely at home at various times after surgery. Permanent tracheostomy is a viable procedure for patients with end stage upper airway obstruction; however, a subpopulation of patients suffers acute death at various times after surgery, which is thought to be due to airway obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, 825 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, New York 14623, USA (Occhipinti); Michigan State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA (Hauptman).
authors.forename: Lindsay L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Occhipinti
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, 825 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, New York 14623, USA (Occhipinti); Michigan State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA (Hauptman).
authors.forename: Joe G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hauptman
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome