title: A Novel Approach to Brachycephalic Syndrome. 2. Laser-Assisted Turbinectomy (LATE).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a new surgical procedure based on interventional, laser-assisted removal of obstructing turbinate tissue to improve endonasal airway patency in brachycephalic dogs and to confirm the short and long term results using computed tomography (CT) and rhinoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brachycephalic dogs (n = 158; 70 Pugs, 77 French Bulldogs, 11 English Bulldogs) referred for treatment of severe respiratory distress because of brachycephalic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography and anterior and posterior rhinoscopy were performed to evaluate endonasal obstruction. Laser-assisted turbinectomy (LATE) using a diode laser was performed as part of a multilevel surgery. Nasal conchae that were causing airway obstruction were removed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The obstructing parts of the conchae were safely and efficiently removed by LATE, shaping a patent nasal airway in all dogs. The newly developed surgical procedure involved 3 steps: turbinectomy of the (1) concha nasalis ventralis; (2) rostral aberrantly growing turbinates (RAT); and (3) caudal aberrantly growing turbinates (CAT). Complications of the procedure included transient intraoperative hemorrhage in 51 of 158 dogs (32.3%); however, a temporary tamponade was necessary in only 2/158 dogs (1.3%). After 6 months, regrowth of turbinates required resection of possibly re-obstructing tissue in 25/158 dogs (15.8%; 1 Pug and 24 French Bulldogs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LATE is an effective method for creating a patent nasal airway in brachycephalic dogs with intranasal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Department, Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Oechtering
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Department, Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Department, Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schlueter
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Department, Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Riccarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schuenemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010375:Pedigree; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*