Effect of Variations in Stent Placement on Outcome of Endoluminal Stenting for Canine Tracheal Collapse

The study's objective was to determine effects of relative size and placement location of endoluminal stents on incidence of complications and survival for canine tracheal collapse. Measurements were obtained on lateral radiographs before and after stenting to determine percent of the trachea occupied by the stent. These values were monitored over time and compared to complication rates and survival. Overall median survival time was 502 days. Six month survival rate was 78%, 1 yr survival was 60%, and 2 yr survival was 26%. Median percent of trachea occupied by the stent at initial placement was 79% (range, 41-93%). Percent of the trachea occupied by the stent at the time of placement did not significantly correlate to complication rate (0.397) or survival time (0.853). Incidence of serious complications was 37%, including granuloma formation, pneumonia, material failure, and stent migration. For patients experiencing serious complications, median survival was shorter, at 208 days, but was not significantly different from survival without serious complications. Within the margins of the data from this study, the proportion of the trachea occupied by the stent at the time of placement does not appear to impact incidence of complications or survival time in dogs with tracheal collapse.