Efficacy of ultrasonic dissection device in staphylectomy surgery in brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) dogs

Abstract

The ultrasonic scalpel instrument was compared with the conventional staphylectomy technique in elongated soft
palate surgery in twenty brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) canines. Patients were randomly
divided into the conventional incisional and ultrasonic scalpel group. Operation time (minute), bleeding volume (ml),
respiratory distress score, postoperative complications score, pain scores, epithelialization score and inflammatory
score were assessed. Two weeks after surgery, soft palates tissues were biopsied from 7 conventional surgery dogs and
8 ultrasonic dissection device applied dogs. The operation time and bleeding volume in the conventional surgery group
were significantly higher than that in conventional group (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). In addition, the
respiratory distress score was significantly higher in the conventional surgery group compared with the ultrasonic
dissection device group on day 3 and day 28 post-operation (P<0.05). There were no significantly different
postoperative complication scores, pain scores or inflammatory scores between two groups. The epithelialization score
of the UD was significantly higher than that of the conventional group (P<0.05). The ultrasonic dissection device is user
friendly, has decreased surgical time, complete hemostasis and provides fewer postoperative complications. The
ultrasonic dissection device is recommended in high-risk patients such as those displaying senility, chronic
inflammation, or bleeding disorders.