Success story: Treatment of laryngeal paralysis in an elderly patient using a silicone stent

Innovation in Geriatric Care: The Case of Kira and the VSTX15-40 Silicone Stent for Treating Laryngeal Paralysis

In modern veterinary medicine, the challenge lies not only in treating the condition, but also in tailoring the treatment to the specific needs of each individual animal. Today we share a success story led by Dr. Pedro Manuel at the AniCura Albeitar Logroño clinic, which illustrates the importance of choosing the right technology for high-risk patients

Meet Kira and find out how a silicone stent gave her a new lease of life

Kira, a patient with laryngeal paralysis and a high anaesthetic risk

Kira is a 13-year-old geriatric patient diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, a condition that severely compromised her breathing ability and quality of life. Faced with the need for surgery, the medical team assessed the available options, taking two critical factors into account:

• Advanced age and underlying condition: Kira presented a high anaesthetic risk due to her age and pre-existing conditions.
  

• Choice of procedure: Although arytenoid lateralisation is the conventional surgical technique, in Kira’s case it was decided that the use of a stent was the preferred option. This choice allowed for the maximum reduction in anaesthesia time and avoided the longer post-operative recovery period associated with open surgery.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e90ca6_0ba7af4ea72545f4a907cd94d76047aa/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Kira, a 13-year-old patient with laryngeal paralysis

The Solution for Kira’s Laryngeal Paralysis: A VSTX15-40 Silicone Stent

Seeking a minimally invasive approach and prioritising anaesthetic safety, Dr Pedro Manuel opted to place a VSTX15-40 stent. This device offers key advantages for patients with Kira’s profile:

• Optimisation of surgical time: The procedure is significantly faster, minimising exposure to anaesthetic agents.
  

• Immediate restoration of airflow: The airway opens instantly, allowing for optimal oxygenation from the very first second.
  

• Outpatient recovery: As it is not an invasive procedure, Kira was able to return to her routine without the discomfort of a traditional surgical wound.

What does a silicone stent in the larynx look like when used to treat laryngeal paralysis?

The following clips demonstrate Dr Pedro Manuel’s technical precision and the patient’s excellent response

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e90ca6_fe33b8d594c6432ebad319752d2116bd/480p/mp4/file.mp4

A stent placed in the larynx to treat laryngeal paralysis in a 13-year-old patient.

Silicone stents: a new alternative for laryngeal paralysis in patients who are not ideal candidates for surgery

Kira’s successful treatment demonstrates that minimally invasive medicine is a valuable tool in veterinary geriatrics. Thanks to the clinical judgement of Dr Pedro Manuel García Ortells and the use of advanced technology such as the VSTX range, we are able to offer effective and safe solutions, even for patients at high anaesthetic risk.

Congratulations to the team at AniCura Albeitar Logroño for their commitment to animal health and welfare!