Repair of a bifid nose combined with a cleft of the primary palate in a 1-year-old dog

Abstract

Objective: To report surgical repair of a bifid nose combined with a cleft of the primary palate.

Study design: Clinical report.

Animals: A 1-year-old, male castrated Springer spaniel dog.

Methods: With the dog in sternal recumbency, an extraoral (dorsal) approach to the nose was performed, and after surgical margins were outlined, a Y-shaped skin incision was made to remove redundant tissue and expose the bifid nasal cartilages. The cartilages were opposed and sutured together and the skin closed in 2 layers. The dog was repositioned in dorsal recumbency, and the 2 maxillary first incisor teeth were extracted. After tangential incision and undermining of the cleft defect, the mucosa was sutured in 1 layer.

Results: Healing was uneventful and there was an immediate return to normal function. At 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months function was excellent without further clinical signs.

Conclusion: Bifid nose associated with a cleft of the primary palate can be surgically corrected.