Use of an electrothermal, feedback-controlled, bipolar sealing device for resection of the elongated portion of the soft palate in dogs with obstructive upper airway disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of using an electrothermal, feedback-controlled, bipolar sealing device (BSD) for resection of the elongated portion of the soft palate in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstruction.
DESIGN: Uncontrolled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 24 brachycephalic dogs with airway obstruction and elongated soft palate. PROCEDURES: In all dogs, the excess portion of the soft palate was resected with a BSD. A score for severity of clinical signs of respiratory tract obstruction was assigned before surgery, during the first 24 hours after surgery, and at the time of final follow-up 12 to 23 months after surgery. Potential scores ranged from 0 (no clinical signs even with moderate to vigorous activity) to 4 (agonal breathing or severe cyanosis).
RESULTS: None of the dogs died or developed life-threatening complications after surgery. Clinical scores after surgery (mean +/- SD, 0.3 +/- 0.6) and at the time of final follow-up (0.9 + 0.5) were significantly lower than preoperative scores (2.6 +/- 0.8). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that a BSD can be safely used for resection of the elongated portion of the soft palate in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstruction.