Tracheal Surgery Flashcards
What is tracheal collapse? What is the most common signalment?
progressive, degenerative disease of the cartilaginous tracheal rings in which hypocellularity, decreased glycosaminoglycan, and calcium contents lead to dynamic airway collapse (radiographs and scopes can look normal - close mouth, normal position)
older toy breeds - Pomeranian, mini and toy Poodles, Yorkies, Chihuahua, Pug
What are the classical signs of tracheal collapse?
intermittent honking cough and exercise intolerance to severe respiratory distress from dynamic airway obstruction
How does the location of the collapse in the trachea affect prognosis?
bronchial collapse is more severe compared to laryngeal and tracheal collapse
How does the physiology of breathing compare on inspiration and expiration?
INSPIRATION - pull of air into lungs creates negative pressure in the lumen of the CERVICAL trachea and positive pressure opens the tracheal rings of the THORACIC trachea and bronchi
EXPIRATION - thoracic pressure used to push air out results in compression of the THORACIC components, while the air moving out serves to open the CERVICAL trachea
What are the 4 grades of tracheal collapse?
- tracheal membrane is slightly pendulous, cartilage remains normal, and lumen is reduced 25%
- tracheal membrane is widened and pendulous, cartilage is partially flattened, lumen is reduced 50%
- tracheal membrane is almost in contact with dorsal trachea, cartilage is nearly flat, lumen is reduced 75%
- tracheal membrane is lying on the dorsal cartilage, cartilage is flattened and may invert, lumen is obliterated
does not seem to relate to clinical signs
Grade I tracheal collapse:
- pendulous membrane
- normal cartilage
- lumen reduced 25%
flat on top, rounded bottom
Grade II tracheal collapse:
- widened and pendulous membrane
- partially flattened cartilage
- lumen reduced 50%
Grade III tracheal collapse:
- membrane almost in contact with dorsal trachea
- nearly flat cartilage
- lumen reduced 75%
Grade IV tracheal collapse:
- membrane lying on dorsal cartilage
- flattened/inverted cartilage
- lumen obliterated
What are 5 common secondary diseases associated with tracheal collapse?
- laryngeal collapse
- bronchiolar collapse
- pulmonary hypertension
- right ventricular enlargement
- cor pulmonale
What are 5 characteristic histopathological findings with tracheal collapse?
- hypocellular cartilage
- decreased glycoprotein and glycosaminoglycan
- decreased water retention - chalky, mineralized
- increased compliance
- decreased rigidity
What are the 5 most common combinations of medical treatment for collapsed tracheas?
- antitussives
- corticosteroids
- antibiotics
- bronchodilators
- anxiolytics (Trazodone)
What is the most common class of drugs used as antitussive therapy for collapsed trachea? What are 2 examples? What is the goal of this therapy?
narcotics
- Butorphanol tartrate (Torbutrol)
- Hydrocodone (Hycodan, Tussigon)
control the frequency/severity of cough to lessen tracheal damage
What are 2 indications for corticosteroid therapy with collapsed trachea? Which one is most commonly used?
- acute exacerbations
- control complications of edema
Prednisone —> taper
What are 3 common complications to chronic corticosteroid usage?
- hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)
- infectious disease (pneumonia, tracheobronchitis) due to immunosuppression
- softened cartilage
When is antibiotic therapy indicated for collapsed trachea?
usually not encouraged —> management of confirmed secondary infectious complications
- aspiration pneumonia
In what patients with collapsed trachea is the use of bronchodilators recommended? Which 2 are most commonly used? Which one needs to be used carefully?
those with lower airway disease
- Theophylline - enhances mucociliary clearance, reduces diaphragmatic fatigue
- Terbutaline - may cause anxiety
What is Lomotil? What 2 effects does it have?
diphenoxylate hydrochloride + atropine —> schedule V narcotic
- antitussive
- antisecretory (atropine) - reduces mucus volume
How can tracheal collapse be controlled outside of medications and surgery?
- limit obesity
- utilize thoracic harness
- control concurrent complications, like endocrinopathy or lower airway disease
What are the 2 frames of mind for surgically treating collapsed tracheas?
- OLD SCHOOL - operate when the animal is about to die due to risky surgery
- NEW SCHOOL - early intervention can limit secondary disease, minimally invasive techniques
What are the 2 types of extraluminal repair of collapsed tracheas?
- Hobson rings - syringe containers are cut into rings and have holes drilled in them for the placement of tack sutures
- new generation devices - pre-made rings with notches to tie sutures
placed every centimeter from larynx to the heart base
What are the most common results of extraluminal repair of collapsed tracheas?
- 10-20% survival
- 11% develop laryngeal paralysis due to damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves
- 19% require permanent tracheostomies
- 23% die of respiratory problems on average 25 months later
How far down are intraluminal stents placed for the repair of a collapsed trachea? How does this technique compare to extraluminal stents?
1 cm in front of bifurcation to the end of the larynx
- clinical improvement in > 90%
- minor complications
- 5% mortality rate
What are 3 types of intraluminal stents? What are the 2 characteristics of a proper stent?
- nitinol mesh
- stainless steel mesh
- braided nitinol stents
inert and can take a beating from the heart
What is nitinol mesh made out of? How does it compare to stainless steel mesh?
alloy of nickel and titanium (Ni Ti NOL)
stainless steel is able to stretch 0.3% and return to its initial shape, while nitinol can stretch over 10%
What are the 3 major advantages to the use of intraluminal stents over extraluminal?
- minimally invasive placement
- decreased anesthesia time
- access to the entire cervical and thoracic trachea
How are intraluminal stents measures?
- a probe with centimeter markers are slipped down the esophagus
- a measurement is taken based on these markers from the larynx at the back of C2 to the tracheal bifurcation for the length
- compare the collapsed diameter to the optimal diameter of the trachea, aiming to increase the collapsed segment by 20%
How can the correct placement of an intraluminal stent be confirmed?
- post-op radiographs: ensures its actually in trachea, makes sure it runs from the back od C2 to the tracheal bifurcation
- fluoroscopy: can ensure the dynamic stability of the stent
- tracheostomy: direct visualization to confirm 360 degree contact to avoid trapped infection
What are the 3 most common long-term complications associated with intraluminal stent placement? How are they treated?
- granulation tissue formation
- stent fracture (if its incorporated in new mucosa, this is rarely a problem)
- collapse or deformation
deployment of a second stent if clinical