Influence of extreme brachycephalic conformation on perioperative complications associated with total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in 242 dogs (2010-2020).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of extreme brachycephalic conformation on presenting signs, imaging findings, intraoperative and perioperative complications following total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO).

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective study.

ANIMALS: A total of 306 (n = 242 dogs) TECA-LBOs (extreme brachycephalic breeds [EBB] = 81, other breeds [OB] = 225).

METHODS: Medical records of patients undergoing TECA-LBO at a single referral institution (2010-2022) were evaluated.

RESULTS: Extreme brachycephalic breeds most commonly presented acutely, at a younger age with oto-neurological signs (46/81, 56.8%). Chronic otitis externa without neurological signs (171/225, 76.0%) was most common in OBs. Extreme brachycephalic breeds preoperatively presented more frequently with facial nerve paresis (p = .001), vestibular syndrome (p = .001), and Horner's syndrome (p = .002) compared to OBs. On diagnostic imaging, bilateral changes (p = .038), aural masses (p = .045), para-aural abscesses (p = .011), otitis interna (p = .001), and brainstem changes (p = .001) were more common in EBBs. The apparent difference in intraoperative complication rate between EBBs (9/81, 11.1%) and OBs (12/225, 5.3%) did not reach statistical significance (p = .078). Perioperative complications occurred in 85/306 (27.8%) of TECA-LBOs with no difference in perioperative complication rate between EBBs (19/81, 23.5%) and OBs (66/225, 29.3%) (p = .586).

CONCLUSION: Extreme brachycephalic breeds are more likely to present for TECA-LBO acutely, with neurological signs and more advanced diagnostic imaging abnormalities. Intra- and perioperative complication rates did not differ between EBBs and OBs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite being subjectively more technically challenging, TECA-LBO did not result in more surgical complications in EBBs. Reported data are useful for effectively informing clients of the specific risks of TECA-LBO surgery.