Surgical repair of nasopharyngeal stenosis in a cat using a stent

Abstract

An intraluminal stent was used to maintain patency of a recurrent nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) in a cat. The stenotic membrane within the nasopharynx was resected, and a 2-cm long, braided-wire endoprosthesis was placed as a stent. The patient was evaluated at one day, six weeks, 19 weeks, and 49 weeks following surgery. The cat tolerated the stent well. The 19-week recheck revealed granulation tissue partially obstructing the pharyngeal aspect of the stent which was subsequently surgically resected. Complications after excision of the granulation tissue included intermittent upper respiratory congestion and nasal discharge. The 49-week recheck showed no increased granulation tissue; however, upper respiratory congestion was still present. This particular stent, and its use as described in this paper, is recommended in cases of chronic recurrent NPS.