Descrição da técnica de ressecção lateral do conduto auditivo no tratamento de otite externa em três equinos

Abstract

Otitis externa is an inflammatory and/or infectious disease of the external ear canal and outer ear that has as main causes increased humidity and the presence of ticks associated with secondary bacterial infections. Presence of purulent secretion and painful tenderness in the region of the ear are frequent clinical signs. Chronic and recurrent cases of otitis externa may lead to auditory canal stenosis, otitis media, and vestibular syndrome. The treatment is performed with broad-spectrum systemic antibiotic, anti-inflammatories and local cleaning. However, in cases where there is stenosis of the canal, surgical therapy is recommended, because it allows access to the canal and drainage of the purulent contents. The objective of this study was to report the use of lateral resection of the auditory canal in the treatment of otitis externa in three horses with partial and total stenosis of the external ear canal. The three horses had the following clinical signs in common: fetid purulent secretion draining from the ear, stenosis of the auditory canal, head shaking and tenderness to palpation of the ear. The treatment indicated for these animals was surgical, so they underwent general inhalation anesthesia to perform the lateral resection of the auditory canal. After shaving and antisepsis of the region, a U-shaped skin incision was performed on the vertical portion of the canal, skin and subcutaneous was bluntly dissected with scissors and a cartilage flap was excised, followed by suture of the auditory canal epithelium with the skin in a simple continuous suture pattern. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and daily cleansing treatment was instituted. There was complete recovery in all three cases in two weeks on average. The technique of lateral resection of the auditory canal in the three equines was important for the treatment of otitis externa, allowing access to the canal for cleaning and drainage of secretion, aiding in the recovery of the animals.