Presenting Author: Dennilyn Parker, DVM, MVetSc
Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Interpretive Review and comments by Dr. Nemetz:
Unfortunately I was not able to attend this concurrent lecture, but was interested in the possibility of success in regard to any type of tracheal surgery. I have performed the only known successful tracheostomy in an Amazon parrot, however the repair of a stenosis (narrowing or stricture of the airway) without incising the trachea made this topic unique.
A 7 month-old blue and gold macaw formed a stricture in its trachea that was discovered under endoscopy as a membranous stricture secondary to a surgical procedure where an intubation tube was utilized. The problem with any tracheal surgery is the risk of stricturing or restricturing post surgery from the reaction to the tissue manipulation.
Dr. Parker used an endoscope (arthroscope) and guided instruments inside the trachea to cut away the membranous stricture. The first attempt removed the stricture but a second one formed just in front of the original membrane. This was treated in the same manner with the endoscope and subsequent topical steroids. The bird remains clinically normal 1 year later.
Conclusion: