Use of parallel loop line prosthesis for management of post surgical tracheal collapse in a dog

A 12-year-old, castrated male Maltese dog was presented due to a sudden onset of tetraparesis. A ventral, extradural compressive lesion at the C4-5 intervertebral disk space, most compatible with an intervertebral disk extrusion was found by radiography, myelography and computed tomography. The dog received ventral slot surgery for cervical intervertebral disk hernia. After the surgery, the dog showed laboured breathing upon inspiration. Cervical and thoracic radiographs revealed severe collapse of the trachea from the fourth cervical to the second thoracic vertebra. The parallel loop line prosthesis (PLLP), which was made from the plastic optical fibre consisted of polymethylmethacrylate as the core coated by fluoropolymer as the clad, was applied as extraluminal support of the collapsed trachea. Immediately after surgery, the dog showed marked respiratory improvement except slight coughing. Two weeks after surgery, the dog could walk without difficulty and neurological status improved. Two years after the surgery, the dog has had no episodes of respiratory distress associated with the tracheal collapse. This procedure may be considered to be a surgical option for the tracheal collapse in dogs.