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Fracka et al: Risk factors for complicated perioperative recovery in dogs undergoing staphylectomy or folded flap palatoplasty: Seventy-six cases (2018–2022)
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Staphylectomy was linked to higher risk of complicated recovery than folded flap palatoplasty (OR = 59.29, p = .0002).
  • Laryngeal collapse > Grade 2 was strongly associated with poor recovery (OR = 97.13, p < .0001).
  • Longer general anesthesia duration increased the risk of complications (OR = 1.01 per min, p = .0051).
  • Increasing age significantly raised the odds of perioperative complication (OR = 1.04 per month, p = .0113).
  • History of aspiration pneumonia was only found in dogs with complications, though not in final model due to instability.
  • Complicated recovery included >12 h O₂ therapy, tracheostomy, or death.
  • FFP may reduce pharyngeal-laryngeal edema, possibly improving immediate outcomes.
  • Bulldogs comprised 80% of population, with French Bulldogs most common (63%).

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← Articles

Fracka et al: Risk factors for complicated perioperative recovery in dogs undergoing staphylectomy or folded flap palatoplasty: Seventy-six cases (2018–2022)
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Staphylectomy was linked to higher risk of complicated recovery than folded flap palatoplasty (OR = 59.29, p = .0002).
  • Laryngeal collapse > Grade 2 was strongly associated with poor recovery (OR = 97.13, p < .0001).
  • Longer general anesthesia duration increased the risk of complications (OR = 1.01 per min, p = .0051).
  • Increasing age significantly raised the odds of perioperative complication (OR = 1.04 per month, p = .0113).
  • History of aspiration pneumonia was only found in dogs with complications, though not in final model due to instability.
  • Complicated recovery included >12 h O₂ therapy, tracheostomy, or death.
  • FFP may reduce pharyngeal-laryngeal edema, possibly improving immediate outcomes.
  • Bulldogs comprised 80% of population, with French Bulldogs most common (63%).

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, what factor was present only in dogs with complications but excluded from the final model due to statistical instability?

A. Obesity
B. Concurrent nares surgery
C. Use of opioids
D. History of aspiration pneumonia
E. Hypoproteinemia

Answer: History of aspiration pneumonia

Explanation: All dogs with prior aspiration pneumonia had complications, but it was not in the model due to instability.
In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, which surgical technique was associated with a significantly higher odds of complicated recovery?

A. Nares resection alone
B. Folded flap palatoplasty (FFP)
C. Subtotal staphylectomy
D. Staphylectomy
E. Extended epiglottopexy

Answer: Staphylectomy

Explanation: Staphylectomy was associated with a 59-fold increased risk of complications compared to FFP (p = .0002).
In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, which clinical feature had the strongest association with poor recovery outcomes?

A. Body weight >15 kg
B. Laryngeal collapse > Grade 2
C. Use of NSAIDs
D. Shorter procedure time
E. History of regurgitation

Answer: Laryngeal collapse > Grade 2

Explanation: Dogs with collapse > Grade 2 had OR = 97.13 for complicated recovery, the highest of all variables.
In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, what was the most common breed affected in this study?

A. French Bulldog
B. English Bulldog
C. Boston Terrier
D. Pug
E. Boxer

Answer: French Bulldog

Explanation: 63% of the cases were French Bulldogs; 80% were Bulldogs overall.
In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, how did increasing age affect the likelihood of a complicated recovery?

A. No correlation
B. Protective at older ages
C. Only mattered in dogs >10 years
D. Increased odds by 4% per month
E. Associated with higher hematocrit

Answer: Increased odds by 4% per month

Explanation: Each month of age increased complication odds by 1.04× (OR = 1.04, p = .0113).

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