Silicone stent placement for laryngeal diseases: a retrospective study of 14 dogs (2022-2025).
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Surgical lateralisation is the gold standard for treating laryngeal paralysis in dogs; however, it remains invasive and expensive with possible life-threatening complications. This study evaluated the outcome of a non-surgical technique, laryngeal stent placement, for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis and other laryngeal conditions in dogs. A retrospective single-centre descriptive analysis of medical records was performed for dogs treated with a laryngeal silicone stent between 2022 and 2025. Fourteen dogs were included. Laryngeal paralysis was the most common condition (n = 10). Other diagnoses included laryngeal collapse (n = 1), laryngeal granuloma (n = 1) and both collapse and granuloma (n = 2). Complete resolution of clinical signs was observed in all dogs following the procedure. Aspiration pneumonia was reported in four dogs. Two dogs underwent definitive stent removal after 3 weeks due to recurrent aspiration pneumonia or device infection. Six dogs died within the study period: two of the laryngeal paralysis group (death unrelated to stent placement) and all four dogs with other laryngeal conditions. Three of these deaths were stent-related with airway obstruction secondary to recurrent granuloma (n = 2) and aspiration pneumonia (n = 1). Median follow-up was 214 days (range 8 to 779 days). Seven dogs were still alive at the time of writing. Reported side effect
Abstract
Surgical lateralisation is the gold standard for treating laryngeal paralysis in dogs; however, it remains invasive and expensive with possible life-threatening complications. This study evaluated the outcome of a non-surgical technique, laryngeal stent placement, for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis and other laryngeal conditions in dogs. A retrospective single-centre descriptive analysis of medical records was performed for dogs treated with a laryngeal silicone stent between 2022 and 2025. Fourteen dogs were included. Laryngeal paralysis was the most common condition (n = 10). Other diagnoses included laryngeal collapse (n = 1), laryngeal granuloma (n = 1) and both collapse and granuloma (n = 2). Complete resolution of clinical signs was observed in all dogs following the procedure. Aspiration pneumonia was reported in four dogs. Two dogs underwent definitive stent removal after 3 weeks due to recurrent aspiration pneumonia or device infection. Six dogs died within the study period: two of the laryngeal paralysis group (death unrelated to stent placement) and all four dogs with other laryngeal conditions. Three of these deaths were stent-related with airway obstruction secondary to recurrent granuloma (n = 2) and aspiration pneumonia (n = 1). Median follow-up was 214 days (range 8 to 779 days). Seven dogs were still alive at the time of writing. Reported side effects included cough (n = 4), halitosis (n = 4), retching (n = 1) and dysphagia (n = 1). Laryngeal silicone stent appears well tolerated and offers a quick, cost-efficient and less invasive alternative for treating laryngeal paralysis in dogs when surgery is not possible or declined. The aspiration pneumonia rate (30%) in laryngeal paralysis cases was similar or higher than previous reports following arytenoid lateralisation. Complication rates appear higher in other laryngeal diseases, for which stenting might not be indicated.