Komplikationer vid tonsillektomi på hund : en retrospektiv studie

Abstract: Tonsillectomy is a controversial subject within veterinary medicine. The lack of studies of the surgical procedure and complications in association with this makes it hard to decide whether the operation is indicated or not in different clinical situations. The complication rate following tonsillectomy in dogs has, to the author’s knowledge, not been reported before, but literature within the subject suggests that the rate is low. Tonsillectomy is indicated mainly when a patient is diagnosed with chronic and/or recurrent non responsive tonsillitis, acute enlargement of the tonsils resulting in difficulty to breath or swallow or neoplasia of the tonsils. However, tonsillitis is most often secondary to other diseases and surgical removal of the tonsils is therefore not a certain cure if a patient is presented with clinical signs which seem to be associated with tonsil enlargement. Caution is granted at surgery of the head and neck region considering the risk for serious complications such as bleeding and obstruction of the upper airways. Aspiration of blood and in worst case development of shock and death can occur. Within human medicine tonsillectomy is therefore classified as an extensive surgical procedure. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence of intra- and post-operative complications of canine tonsillectomies as well as potential predisposing factors to these complications. Unlike which was suggested by earlier literature, the results of this study indicated that complications of canine tonsillectomies are relatively common. In most cases the complications were minor, but more serious complications did occur and the surgeon preforming tonsillectomies should be aware of that emergency re-operation can be needed. Complications were observed in 24 out of 66 dogs (36,4 %) in the study. The most common complication was bleeding. Intra-operative bleeding (16,7 %) was more common than post-operative bleeding (7,6 %). Remaining tonsil tissue/regrowth of tonsillar tissue as well as difficulty breathing, pain in the pharynx and vomiting did also occur. Because of the small study population in this study any potential predisposing factor could not be found. To more accurately describe the frequency of intra- and postoperative complications of canine tonsillectomy and possible predisposing factors to these complications, additional studies with a larger study population would be required.