{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of complications after tracheal stenting in dogs.
{Author}: Robin T;Robin E;Le Boedec K;
{Journal}: J Vet Intern Med
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 May 31
{Factor}: 3.175
{DOI}: 10.1111/jvim.17117
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Stenting has become popular to treat tracheal collapse in dogs, but complications might arise and negatively affect treatment outcome.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Determine the overall prevalence of complications of tracheal stenting in dogs.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A bibliographic search was performed of publications from 2000 to 2020. Studies were assessed for quality of evidence and measured prevalence of the 8 most commonly reported complications after tracheal stenting in dogs (stent fracture, stent migration, relapsing collapse, granuloma formation, tracheobronchial infections, and early, late, and clinically relevant late cough). Random effects meta-analyses were used to estimate pooled complications prevalence.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Cough (early: 99%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 95%-100%, late: 75%; 95% CI: 63%-85%, and clinically relevant: 52%; 95% CI: 42%-61%), tracheobronchial infections (24%; 95% CI: 14%-35%), and granulomas (20%; 95% CI: 11%-30%) were common after tracheal stenting. Stent fractures (12%; 95% CI: 5%-20%), relapsing collapse (10%; 95% CI: 5%-15%), and stent migration (5%; 95% CI: 1%-9%) were less frequent. Significant heterogeneity among studies was identified for the estimated prevalence of stent fracture, granulomas, infections, and late cough.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Tracheal stenting in dogs is associated with a high risk of coughing and a moderate risk of tracheobronchial infections and granuloma formation. Because most complications will impact a dog's quality of life, owners must be informed that tracheal stenting is a second-line procedure that does not necessarily alleviate the need for medical treatment and frequent follow-up visits. Additional studies are warranted to identify the risk factors of these complications.