Ear Surgeries in Dogs and Cats

Aural surgery is very useful in the treatment of otic diseases of dogs and cats. Many con- ditions relate to the presence of chronic otitis secondary to allergic conditions. We strive to avoid salvage procedures (total Ear Canal ablation and Lateral Bulla osteotomy – tECa/LBo) if possible. other surgery may be utilized in an attempt to save the ear from tECa/LBo, but careful patient selection is advised. Lateral ear resection can be used to aid in the treatment of otitis, but should never be seen as a cure for the condition. Ven- tral Bulla osteotomy (VBo) may be done for cases that have otitis media sans otitis externa or when the middle ear is far more affected than the external ear. Lastly, endo- scopic surgery can be done of the external ear canal and middle ear in an attempt to avoid VBo.

Dermatologic history and examination should be done at the time of presentation for ear surgery. Concurrent therapy should be directed at treating the skin.

The anatomy of the ear will be reviewed, cartilaginous portions include the pinna (helix, anthelix, tragus), auricular, and annular cartilages. the ear is lined with squamous epithelium and sebaceous and ceruminous glands. the adjacent vessels include the auricular artery and retroarticular vein, which are important for total ear canal ablation, and the facial nerve is closely associated with the annular cartilage.

Predisposing causes of otitis include atopy (5%), food allergy (20%), immune-mediated disease, mass lesions, and perhaps the adenexal structures (number and distribution vary and may be important in some breeds). Bacterial overgrowth may progress to infection with Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, pseudomonas, proteus, E. coli, or pas- teurella (in cats). otitis externa is the response to the primary cause and secondary bac- teria or yeast (Malassezia). Epithelial damage leads to ulceration, hyperplasia and cerumin breakdown, which eventually can lead to fibrosis and calcification. [...]