Evaluation of horizontal and vertical tracheotomy healing after short-duration tracheostomy in dogs

The purpose of the study was to assess healing of horizontal and vertical tracheotomy after short-duration tracheostomy in dogs using clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and histologic methods.

Horizontal tracheotomy (n = 6) between the third and fourth tracheal rings or vertical tracheotomy (n = 6) across tracheal rings three through five was performed for airway management during laryngoplasty. Tracheostomy tubes were maintained for 6 hours with low-pressure cuff inflation time limited to the first 1.5 hours. Cervical radiographs and tracheoscopy were performed preoperatively and at postoperative weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Ten of the 12 dogs were killed 12 weeks after tracheostomy.

There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative tracheal diameter or change in endoscopic tracheal circumference at the tracheostomy site when dogs were compared based on type of tracheotomy. Three dogs with horizontal tracheotomies had evidence of scar (web) within the tracheal lumen 12 weeks after surgery. All vertical tracheotomies had a mild, ventral, triangular deformity. Histologic examination of vertical tracheotomy sites showed complete restoration of the pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Horizontal tracheotomies healed with a single layer of columnar epithelium. Intraluminal scar was composed primarily of loose connective tissue.

Based on the results of this study, vertical tracheotomy shows more consistent healing compared with horizontal tracheotomy after short-duration tracheostomy. No evidence was found to support the preferential recommendation of horizontal tracheotomy for short-duration tracheostomy airway management.