2026/07/29 by William Strain, Rachel A. Reed, Janet A. Grimes
paper · doi:10.2460/javma.26.04.0283
Abstract Objective To determine whether application of phenylephrine-soaked gauze (PG) against the soft palate following staphylectomy reduces the incidence of reintubation and temporary tracheostomy. Methods Electronic medical records for dogs that underwent staphylectomy from January 2023 through December 2024 were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, stage of laryngeal collapse, whether PG was used or not, and incidence of reintubation and temporary tracheostomy. Normally distributed data were analyzed with a Student t test; nonnormally distributed data were analyzed with a Wilcoxon test. Categorical data were analyzed with a Fisher exact test. Results 96 dogs were included (PG group, n = 56; no PG [NPG] group, 43). Dogs in the NPG group were more likely to have stage I versus stage II laryngeal collapse compared to those in the PG group. No other variables differed between groups. In the PG group, 19.6% (11 of 56) underwent reintubation and 7.1% (4 of 56) underwent temporary tracheostomy. In the NPG group, 22.5% (9 of 43) underwent reintubation and 5.0% (2 of 43) underwent temporary tracheostomy. There was no difference in reintubation or temporary tracheostomy between PG and NPG. Conclusions The use of PG placed against the soft palate did not reduce reintubation or temporary tracheostomy rates among brachycephalic dogs undergoing staphylectomy. Clinical Relevance Veterinarians performing staphylectomy for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome should not expect PG to reduce reintubation and temporary tracheostomy rates among patients; other methods to reduce soft palate swelling after staphylectomy should be evaluated.