Passive Drainage Versus Primary Closure After Total Ear Canal Ablation‐Lateral Bulla Osteotomy in Dogs: 59 Dogs (1985–1995)

Abstract

Primary closure is an acceptable alternative in dogs undergoing TECA-LBO when surgical wound dead space can be managed with meticulous hemostasis, complete debridement of devitalized tissue, and accurate apposition of tissue planes.

Surgical management of 43 cases of chronic otitis externa in the dog

“…The bacteriological culture results in this series were similar to those previously reported [1,2,18,8,27]. During TECA/LBO surgery, all specimens were collected from the tympanic bulla.…”

“…However, it is not a highly sensitive tool in the diagnosis of otitis media. The false-negative rate - the probability of negative radiographic findings in the presence of otitis media - in this series was 33%, which compares with previously reported false-negative rates of 25% [19] and 14% [8]. Negative radiographic findings do not rule out otitis media and should not discourage surgical exploration if clinical signs suggest the presence of disease [19].…”

“…However, for these procedures to be successful, they must be completed before there is irreversible narrowing of the horizontal ear canal and they must be followed with continued medical treatment of the ear disease [14]. In cases of chronic irreversible otitis externa, TECA/LBO, a salvage procedure, is considered the best treatment option [17,2,18,28,8,14] with the principal aim of making the animal more comfortable by removing the infected tissue [22]. …”

“…Once end-stage otitis externa, with or without otitis media, is diagnosed, TECA/LBO is considered the best treatment option [17,2,18,28,8,14,29]. Total ear canal ablation alone is contraindicated due to the high risks of a concurrent otitis media [24,6] leading to postoperative para-aural fistulation [22].…”

“…TECA/LBO is a technically difficult procedure and a high complication rate has been reported [17,2,18,28,8]. There is potential for iatrogenic damage to the vital structures surrounding the external ear canal and tympanic bulla such as the facial nerve, inner ear, superficial temporal and great auricular vessels, retroarticular vein, and branches of the external carotid artery.…”