Staphylectomy with carbon dioxide laser versus electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device in dogs: a prospective, randomized, clinical and histological trial

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and the severity of iatrogenic injury using CO2 laser (Laser) versus Electrothermal Bipolar Vessel Sealing Device (BSD) for the execution of staphylectomy in dogs affected by elongated soft palate (ESP). Materials and Methods: The protocol was approved by the Committee for Animal Welfare of University of Camerino (E81AC.10/B). The owners expressed specific informed consent. Dogs showing clinical signs due to ESP and no other airways anomalies were randomised to underwent staphylectomy with Laser or with BSD (LigaSureTM). The evaluation protocol (in a six-months follow-up) consisted of: clinical scoring; duration of surgery; owner’s degree of satisfaction; histology of the excised tissue with attribution of score considering oedema, burning, hyperemia, margin. A proper sample size analysis was a-priori performed. Each outcome was statistically analysed within and between groups. Results: A total of 36 dogs were included. Surgery fulfilled with BSD was significantly faster than Laser (P<10-4). After surgery, both groups showed long-lasting improvements in clinical score (P<10-4), however no differences between groups were observed (P>0.05). No major complication was observed. The owner's perception of effectiveness of surgery was good or excellent and perfectly comparable. BSD showed a lower iatrogenic lesion both considering the total score (P<10-4) and each histological parameter (P<0.002). Discussion/Conclusions: This was the first prospective randomised clinical/histological trial comparing CO2 Laser and BSD in the treatment of ESP. Both techniques were clinically effective but the BSD requires a shorter surgery time and imply lower iatrogenic histological alterations.