Page 100 - BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Head, Neck and Thoracic Surgery, 2nd Edition

Chapter 6 · Brachycephalic airway disease
Chapter 6 · Brachycephalic airway disease

➜ OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE 6.2 CONTINUED
VetBooks.ir 4 The oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal mucosa are then adapted using 1.5–2 metric (3/0–4/0 USP)

monofilament or multifilament rapidly absorbable suture material in either an interrupted or a continuous pattern,
starting in the middle of the incision, to complete the staphylectomy.

PRACTICAL TIP
The lateral stay sutures, when properly placed, will help to avoid cutting into the laterally located
vessels and help minimize blood loss during the procedure. In addition, having an assistant pull
on the stay sutures aids in stretching the soft palate, and helps subsequent excision and suturing

POSTOPERATIVE CARE
In general, after airway surgery, dogs should be observed and kept calm during recovery until at least 1 hour after
extubation, which should take place only when they are almost fully awake and consciously aware of the tube. Food
and water are withheld only until complete recovery. Dogs are monitored for any gagging, retching or vomiting, stridor
and development of dyspnoea. If postoperative dyspnoea occurs, animals can either be heavily sedated (for 8–12 hours
with an additional dose of corticosteroids administered) and re-intubated with a small tube, or a tracheostomy should
be performed.

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