Traditional rhinoplasty techniques have several limitations and may have limited efficacy if a more aggressive approach to relieve intranasal obstruction is not considered. This lecture will focus on two recently described treatment options to alleviate intranasal obstruction. Vestibuloplasty is a relatively simple but poorly described technique. Laser assisted turbinectomy (LATE) is an innovative and technically challenging procedure. The procedure was pioneered by the University of Leipzig and the University of Cambridge. It is performed under endoscopic guidance using a diode laser fibre. The decision to perform the LATE procedure is based on CT and endoscopic findings, as well as response to the initial BOAS surgery.
Recent studies from the University of Cambridge have confirmed that around 50% of dogs that underwent traditional BOAS surgery have significant residual upper airway obstruction and will benefit from laser assisted turbinectomy. Dogs with regurgitation secondary to BOAS are more likely to have resolution of the regurgitation if a LATE procedure is performed as well.