LONG-TERM RESULTS OF UNILATERAL VENTRICULOCORDECTOMY AND PARTIAL ARYTENOIDECTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS IN 60 DOGS

Sixty-nine dogs with acquired, idiopathic, bilateral laryngeal paralys is were treated by right-sided ventriculocordectomy and partial aryten oidectomy. Short-term laryngoscopic follow-up was available for 30 dog s; 26 of these dogs (86%) had very satisfactory results (i.e., dramati c reduction or complete resolution of upper-airway noise and markedly increased or normal exercise tolerance). Long-term follow-up informati on was obtained for 60 of the dogs. The results of surgery were consid ered to be very satisfactory in 54 dogs (90%), satisfactory in one dog (1.7%), and unsatisfactory in five dogs (8.3%). Complications observe d were narrowing of the glottis due to production of excessive granula tion tissue at the surgery site (n=4), aspiration pneumonia (n=3), or both (n=1).