Comparison of CO2 laser and sharp dissection techniques for excision of elongated soft palates in brachycephalic dogs

Elongated soft palate is the most common respiratory disease in brachycephalics. During inspiration, an elongated palate obstructs the glottal opening, causing respiratory distress. Left untreated, elongated soft palate may be life threatening. We conducted a randomized, prospective experimental trial in 20 brachycephalic dogs with redundant or elongated soft palates to compare palate resection using sharp dissection and a CO2 laser. Dogs were assigned standardized clinical scores at 0, 2, 8, 16, and 24 hours postoperatively. Tracheostomy performed at surgery significantly increased clinical scores at 3 of the 5 time measurements, but scores became equal to those without tracheostomies after tracheostomy tube removal. Clinical scores between groups were comparable at 0 and 8 hours. Biopsies of the soft palate were obtained at days 0, 3, 7, and 14. The CO2 laser initially incited greater epithelial separation, carbonization, and necrosis, but by day 3, histologic scores were similar. Inflammation peaked at day 3 in all groups; by day 14 these lesions had resolved. Mean surgical time for the laser was significantly shorter. Both techniques resulted in minimal intraoperative hemorrhage and rapid resolution of inflammation. However, many brachycephalic patients have clinical signs and secondary airway changes that predispose them to postoperative complications; the CO2 laser technique does not obviate the need for intensive care management for 24-28 hours postoperatively. Tracheostomy is not warranted in soft palate resection.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.