Sessions

Between March 2022 and March 2025, we monitored canine and feline patients presenting at the FuzioVet Animal Hospital that required total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) due to severe conditions of the external and middle ear of various etiologies. During this period, 123 patients (63 dogs and 60 cats) met the selection criteria for the retrospective clinical study. The aim of this TDK thesis is the retrospective data analysis of TECA-LBO surgeries in dogs and cats. In our study, we pay special attention to preoperative indications, as well as the most frequently occurring postoperative complications, such as facial paresis, Horner's syndrome, head tilt, surgical site swelling, and abscess formation. Our results were compared with international literature data, with particular regard to the incidence of complications and their clinical outcomes.

During our data collection, alongside the retrospective analysis of existing clinical records, a self-designed structured questionnaire consisting of 33 questions was completed with the owners via online or telephone interviews. The long-term follow-up period averaged 24.6 months for dogs and 26.2 months for cats.

Based on our results, the intervention eliminated chronic pain within two weeks in the vast majority of patients. De novo facial paresis occurred in 21.4% of dogs and 25.4% of cats, but these proved to be transient in almost all cases. Based on our study, the brachycephalic skull conformation did not statistically increase the risk. Horner's syndrome developed in 1.5% of dogs and 1.7% of cats, which proportions show a significantly lower incidence compared to literature data. Vestibular syndrome developed in 14.7% of dogs and 29.4% of cats. In the development of these symptoms, advanced age proved to be a significant risk factor (p=0.025). A significant correlation was found between para-aural abscess (PAA) and higher body weight (p<0.001). Other examined factors had no statistically significant effect on postoperative complications.