Parotid duct transposition in dogs: a retrospective review of 92 eyes from 1999 to 2009

Objective The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective review of parotid duct transposition (PDT) in the dog to determine the rate and nature of complications, the success and failure rates and to evaluate owner satisfaction. Methods Medical records of 56 dogs (92 eyes) that underwent PDT and subsequent follow‐up by a veterinary ophthalmologist were reviewed. Forty owners (40 dogs/66 eyes) were contacted by telephone and 37 owners (37 dogs/60 eyes) also completed a visual analog scale questionnaire. Statistical evaluation included Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests, one‐way analysis of variance and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with Wilcoxon and Log‐rank tests. Results The mean follow‐up was 38.7 months (range 1–109 months). The surgical success rate was 92% (85/92 eyes). Total failures (8%, 7/92 eyes) were because of severe saliva intolerance (n = 5 eyes) and PDT failure (n = 2 eyes). The complication rate was 50% (46/92 eyes) of which 61% (28/46 eyes) were managed medically and 39% (18/46 eyes) required further surgery. Ninety percent (36/40) of owners indicated that they would proceed with surgery again. Statistically significant improvements in owner perception of ocular comfort, number of daily topical treatments, ocular wetness, and postoperative vision were identified. Conclusions This study shows that PDT is a successful procedure based on clinical findings and in terms of owner perception. It has also demonstrated that PDT improves ocular comfort and vision in medically refractive cases of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and that a low level of on‐going management is required in 33% of cases.