Comparison of mortality of brachycephalic dogs undergoing partial staphylectomy using conventional incisional, carbon dioxide laser, or bipolar vessel sealing device

Objective To compare mortality of dogs undergoing partial staphylectomy using conventional incisional, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, and bipolar vessel sealing device (BVSD) techniques for the treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Study design Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Animals A total of 606 client‐owned English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs. Methods Medical records from 2011 to 2021 were reviewed for signalment, history, surgical technique, length of hospitalization, and complications. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to compare odds of mortality between the three techniques of staphylectomy. Results The overall mortality rate was 24/606 (4.0%). Of those 24 dogs, staphylectomy was performed with BVSD technique in 13 cases, with CO2 laser in nine, and using conventional incisional technique in two. Nine dogs were graded II or III laryngeal collapse, 14 were graded I, and one was unknown. BVSD technique was associated with mortality prior to discharge compared to the other two techniques (OR = 6.0, 95% CI: 1.3–28.4, p = .023). No differences were detected between conventional incisional and CO2 laser techniques. Concurrent higher grade (stage II or III) laryngeal collapse was independently associated with mortality prior to discharge (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.8–11.8, p = .002). Conclusion The use of BVSD and grade of laryngeal collapse were associated with a higher risk of perioperative mortality. Clinical significance Clinical studies using a randomized trial design should be conducted to further determine the putative influence of surgical instrumentation in the perioperative mortality rate following multilevel surgery in dogs with BOAS.