Temporary palatopexy procedure for brachycephalic obstructive airway crisis in dogs

Jessica Sun Emergency and Critical Care Service, VCA Family and Oahu Veterinary Specialty Center, Pearl City, HI

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 DVM, DACVECC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To provide a video tutorial on how to perform a temporary palatopexy in an anesthetized brachycephalic dog.

ANIMALS

Brachycephalic dogs.

METHODS

To perform a temporary palatopexy, needle drivers, forceps, intubation equipment, and absorbable suture material are needed. In an anesthetized and ideally intubated patient, buried sutures are placed, tacking the free edge of the soft palate to the junction of the hard and soft palate.

RESULTS

Temporary palatopexy pulls the soft palate out of the airway to improve airflow and manage brachycephalic upper airway crises.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Temporary palatopexy can be used for brachycephalic obstructive airway crises in an attempt to avoid prolonged intubation, temporary tracheostomy, emergent palatoplasty, euthanasia, or death. This is not intended to replace permanent palatoplasty but to allow time for stabilization/transfer or delay palatoplasty due to the higher complication rate of emergent palatoplasty.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To provide a video tutorial on how to perform a temporary palatopexy in an anesthetized brachycephalic dog.

ANIMALS

Brachycephalic dogs.

METHODS

To perform a temporary palatopexy, needle drivers, forceps, intubation equipment, and absorbable suture material are needed. In an anesthetized and ideally intubated patient, buried sutures are placed, tacking the free edge of the soft palate to the junction of the hard and soft palate.

RESULTS

Temporary palatopexy pulls the soft palate out of the airway to improve airflow and manage brachycephalic upper airway crises.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Temporary palatopexy can be used for brachycephalic obstructive airway crises in an attempt to avoid prolonged intubation, temporary tracheostomy, emergent palatoplasty, euthanasia, or death. This is not intended to replace permanent palatoplasty but to allow time for stabilization/transfer or delay palatoplasty due to the higher complication rate of emergent palatoplasty.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges Adesola Odunayo, DVM, MS, DACVECC.

Disclosures

The author has nothing to disclose. No AI-assisted technologies were used in the generation of this abstract or video.

Funding

The author has nothing to disclose.

References

  • 1.

    Lindsay B, Cook D, Wetzel JM, Siess S, Moses P. Brachycephalic airway syndrome: management of post-operative respiratory complications in 248 dogs. Aust Vet J. 2020;98(5):173-180. doi:10.1111/avj.12926

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  • 2.

    Sun JA, Johnson JA, Hallowell TC. Evaluation of temporary palatopexy to manage brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs in respiratory distress. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(3):220-226. doi:10.1111/jsap.13453

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