Intranasal xylometazoline hydrochloride to reduce intraoperative nasal hemorrhage in dogs undergoing ala-vestibuloplasty for BOAS: A prospective, randomized study.

Intranasal xylometazoline 0.1% significantly reduces hemorrhage and time to hemostasis during ala-vestibuloplasty in brachycephalic dogs.

This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated whether intranasal xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% reduces intraoperative hemorrhage during ala-vestibuloplasty in brachycephalic dogs undergoing surgical correction for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Thirty client-owned brachycephalic dogs were randomized to receive either xylometazoline 0.1% (n=17) or 0.9% saline (n=13) intranasally prior to surgery. Hemorrhage was quantified by weighing cotton-tipped applicators and surgical swabs pre- and post-use. Dogs receiving xylometazoline had significantly lower median total intraoperative hemorrhage compared to saline controls (6.27 g vs. 16.49 g; p<0.0001), representing a 62% reduction. Estimated blood volumes lost were 5.9 mL and 15.6 mL, respectively. Hemorrhage normalized to bodyweight (0.69 g/kg vs. 1.74 g/kg) and estimated percentage blood volume loss (0.76% vs. 1.93%) were also significantly lower in the xylometazoline group. Median time to hemostasis was shorter with xylometazoline (14.0 vs. 20.0 min; p=0.0001). Notably, rescue hemostatic intervention was required in 10 of 13 saline-treated dogs but in none of the 17 xylometazoline-treated dogs (p<0.001). These findings suggest that topical intranasal xylometazoline is an effective adjunct to reduce nasal hemorrhage and improve surgical field visibility during ala-vestibuloplasty, potentially simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing the need for additional hemostatic interventions in brachycephalic patients.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.