UNILATERAL ARYTENOID LATERALIZATION AND EXTRALUMINAL POLYPROPYLENE RING PROSTHESES FOR CORRECTION OF TRACHEAL COLLAPSE IN THE DOG

The surgical repair of tracheal collapse in 25 dogs is described. The initial presenting signs included coughing, dyspnoea, gagging, retchin g, exercise intolerance, cyanosis and collapse. Diagnosis was based up on the clinical signs, plain radiography and tracheal endoscopy. The c ollapse was corrected by the application of a number of extraluminal p olypropylene prosthetic rings applied to the affected trachea. Additio nally, a left arytenoid lateralisation was also performed. The periope rative complication rate was approximately 4 per cent, while the succe ss rate was 75 per cent. The technique reduces the likelihood of catas trophic postoperative complications associated with iatrogenic larynge al paralysis which is a possible complication of placement of extralum inal tracheal support devices.