Description of a cricotracheostomy technique for permanent tracheostomy in eight dogs.

Objective: To describe and report the outcome of a cricotracheostomy (CT) technique for the creation of a permanent upper airway ventral cervical stoma in dogs.

Study design: Short case series.

Animals: Eight client-owned dogs.

Methods: Upper airway obstruction due to various disease processes was confirmed via upper airway examination and appropriate imaging. Medical records were reviewed to assess complications experienced during and following permanent CT. Owner questionnaires regarding quality of life (QoL) following permanent CT were performed.

Results: All dogs experienced a routine recovery. The CT provided a robust dorsolateral. wall to the stoma from the cricoid cartilage. The stomata did not show any evidence of dorsal wall collapse or stenosis. Four dogs required further skin fold resection. The high position of this stoma also appears to be appropriate functionally with bilateral cervical skin fold resections. The owner questionnaires reported high satisfaction in the postoperative QoL.

Conclusion: CT was feasible and led to a reliable outcome for surgical patients and improvement in QoL. Comparative clinical investigation of the CT technique with traditional permanent tracheostomy techniques is indicated to definitively prove the validity and any superiority of the CT technique.