Neoplasms of the external auditory canal in cats. Tumors of the external auditory canal in dogs and cats: diagnosis and treatment

The need for such an operation arises when animals are suspected of having neoplasms (hyperplasia) in the tissues of the external auditory canal.
Very often, this problem occurs in dogs and cats after a long-term chronic otitis media. Neoplasms, usually malignant form, appear after the age of seven, but hyperplasia is a benign disease and can be expressed in animals and in two years old. The treatment of these two diseases is only surgical; in case of a malignant form of tumors, it is necessary to remove the entire external auditory canal with the capture submandibular lymph node. That part of the ear that is not visible and is located inside, below is subjected to removal. auricle. Side effect such an operation has deafness in the ear, but it is compensated by an improvement in the quality of life of the animal, and with small tumor processes, hearing is not lost and complete recovery occurs.

What neoplasms of the external auditory canal are found in dogs and cats?

Most neoplasms of the auricle are also observed in the external auditory canal, some of them more often, others less often. For example, cases of fibroma), lipoma, chondroma are described. It should be noted that primary chondromas in the external auditory canal are very rare. There are often dermoid formations, retention cysts, tumors consisting of sulfur glands. A rarity is endothelioma of the external auditory canal.
Much more common here papillomatous growths, especially in the presence of chronic irritation of the skin of the external auditory canal with suppuration. Growing cabbage-like papillomas can fill the entire passage, simulating polyps emanating from tympanic cavity.
Tumors of the ceruminal glands- a phenomenon widespread in cats and, less often, in dogs. In most cases, the reason for going to the doctor is the discovery by the owner of an ulcerated bleeding tumor in the external auditory canal or bleeding from the external auditory canal.

How to suspect the presence of a tumor at an early stage?

It's not that hard. The tumor often grows in animals with chronic otitis media, which means that the ears are periodically examined and treated. Plus, the neoplasm often bleeds even on initial stage process. The tumor looks like a bright red growth inside the ear canal. But visualization is not always possible without a special tool (otoscope). If your animal has a suspicion of a tumor of the external auditory canal, see a specialist, he will easily diagnose you.

ATTENTION!!! Oncology is treated and even cured, but early stages tumor process.

What is the diagnosis of ear canal tumors?

Diagnosis of the ear canal consists in taking anamnesis, clinical examination of the patient. Most informative method diagnosis is otoscopy. Indications for otoscopy are: itching in the ears, shaking the head, reddening of the skin inside the ear, leakage from the ears (any liquid), otitis externa, foreign bodies; long flowing medium and otitis media, treatment-resistant otitis media, the presence of neurological disorders associated with damage to the vestibular apparatus.
When the tumor grows into the surrounding tissues and into the submandibular lymph node, the third stage of the disease sets in and it is no longer possible to cure the animal. The only method – radiation therapy, with which you can try to reduce the volume of the tumor, which will prolong the life of the pet for a short time and slightly improve the quality of life, but in no case will save from the generalization of the process. Most often, metastases germinate within a few months and are usually localized in lung tissue. You can see metastasis using x-rays and, unfortunately, the fourth stage cannot be treated.
Hyperplasia of the external auditory canal ( benign education) will require, depending on the neglect of the process, the use of two types of operation. With complete closure of the auditory canal, it is recommended to perform a total excision, otherwise there is a risk of the process going into severe inflammation with its subsequent distribution to the membranes of the brain.

ATTENTION!!! Indications for total resection in these diseases are absolute, since it should be borne in mind that organ-preserving operations are accompanied by persistent recurrence of the disease. And recurrence can lead to malignancy benign neoplasms and metastasis of malignant tumors. As a rule, the process of metastasis of adenocarcinomas of the ceruminous glands develops in stages: first, metastases are found in the pharyngeal lymph nodes, then in the paratracheal and prescapular lymph nodes, and then in the mediastinal lymph nodes and lungs.
Total resection is also indicated in some forms of otitis media, for example, empyema of the tympanic cavity, but in such cases, the surgical procedure is completed with a lateral osteotomy of the tympanic cavity wall. In the same way they perform surgical intervention with polyps of the tympanic cavity.

Treatment of tumors is basically surgical.

Operations are often planned. In the clinic "Antistress" and the veterinary hospital "SQ-lap" they are carried out after a preoperative examination of the animal, which includes, ECG, General and Biochemical Analysis Blood, be sure to withstand an 8 hour diet. Before the operation, the doctor and the owner draw up a document about informed consent for the operation, after the owner is explained all the risks from these activities.
It is very important that the owner bring to the operation a warm blanket, it will be needed to warm the animal after the operation, disposable absorbent diapers, napkins.

REMEMBER! POSTOPERATIVE CARE CAN BE PERFORMED IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE HOSPITAL.

At malignant tumors it is necessary to remove the entire external auditory canal with excision of the submandibular lymph node (total resection of the external auditory canal with lymphodenectomy). This is the so-called ablasticity, when the tumor is removed with the capture of healthy tissues and nearby lymph node. That part of the ear that is not visible to the eye is removed and is felt, as it were, inside, below the auricle. The operation to remove the external auditory canal consists in excising tissues by gradually removing the skin inside the animal's ear, sometimes with the removal of part of the cartilage. After such an operation, the animal does not hear in one ear, but the quality of life improves and, with small stages of the tumor process, complete recovery occurs. With little growth connective tissue plastic surgery will be required, the formation of a “window” in the lower part of the vertical auditory canal, the ear begins to “breathe” and inflammation does not develop.
Since the tissues of the external auditory canal are abundantly supplied with blood vessels, bleeding will be required during the entire operation. Toward the horizontal part of the ear canal, the operation becomes more difficult, the tissue becomes denser, and ear cartilage becomes thicker. At the end of the operation, a drainage system is installed to carry out preventive douching of the cavity and outflow of exudate.

View of the ear canal before surgery

Installation of drainage in the cavity of the surgical wound

Ear view after surgery

ATTENTION!!! It is necessary to treat your animals as carefully as possible, since the sooner the owners notice the tumor, the more likely it is to cure the animal.

What are the chances of curing an animal with a neoplasm in the auricle?

It all depends on the stage of development of the neoplasm, than earlier swelling or hyperplasia will be noticed by the owner, the more likely the animal will be cured.

What kind of care is required for the operated animal?

After the removal of the external auditory canal, the animal must spend at least a day in the hospital, since the operation is considered difficult and the postoperative period will require the supervision of specialists.

How to take care of an animal at home?

At home, the animal needs to undergo a course of antibiotic therapy, as well as wash the postoperative internal cavity drains and maintain seams. In addition, the animal must wear a surgical collar. The drainage is removed after a week, and the stitches after two weeks.

What complications can occur during and after the operation?

1. intraoperative bleeding accompanies each operation for total resection of the external auditory canal, this is facilitated by the extreme vascularization of the operated area. Branches of the external carotid, maxillary arteries and jugular vein"entangle" the external auditory canal from the oral, aboral and ventral sides, so the usual methods of hemostasis in this operation are not effective. To stop bleeding, it is advisable to use electrothermosurgical technique. The use of this technique minimizes blood loss and significantly improves the conditions for the intervention. Besides, in preoperative period appropriate course medicines that improve blood clotting.
2. Paresis facial nerve found in all operated patients. This is an inevitable complication of this operation, and it is associated with anatomical features location of the facial nerve. The facial nerve emerges from the opening of the facial canal temporal bone and goes around the auditory canal from the ventral side. Therefore, nerve damage during such a traumatic operation is inevitable, and this leads to nerve paresis. However, in the absolute majority of cases, the phenomena of paresis disappear 14-20 days after the operation. Despite the inevitability of paresis, it is necessary to use the most gentle operating technique and protect the facial nerve from mechanical and thermal influences.
3. Suture failure, near-wound phlegmon, arrosive bleeding occur in many patients on the 5th - 7th day after surgery. The cause of these complications is the initial purulent, often many months and even years of inflammation of the external auditory canal and middle ear. As a rule, microorganisms found in the external auditory canal (Staphylococcus; Pseudomonas; Proteus; Escherichia coli; Streptococcus, etc.), are resistant to most antibacterial agents. Resistance is due to the use of multiple local and general courses antibiotic therapy during conservative treatment. The most important measure prevention of the mentioned complications is the daily sanitation of the cavity of the surgical wound with a 1% solution of dioxidine through a perforated tubular drainage, which is installed during the operation and removed on the 10th - 14th day postoperative period. Equally important is the creation of rest of the operated area; for this, special bandages are used and protective collars, preventing scratching and excessive shaking of the ears.

ATTENTION!!! Non-compliance with the regulations postoperative treatment in most cases leads to the rapid development of purulent surgical infection. Dear owners, strictly follow the doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period.

Tumors of the ceruminous glands are a degeneration into a neoplasm of the ordinary sulfuric glands of the external auditory canal. The ceruminous glands themselves are represented in in large numbers on the skin of the ear canal, are modified sweat (apocrine) glands, their secretions create optimal conditions on a surface. There is both a benign transformation, in the form of adenoma and cystic degeneration, and a malignant one, in the form of adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands ( last view more common in cats). In the external auditory meatus of cats, other types of neoplasms can also develop, but, most often, it is the ceruminous glands that are reborn.

The exact causes of ceruminous gland tumors in cats have not been established, as well as factors predisposing to their development.

Clinical signs

For tumors of the ceruminous glands of cats, the main reason for contacting veterinary clinic- inflammation in the external auditory canal. In some cases, the owner of the animal may notice the appearance of protruding masses visible to the naked eye. In some cases, partial deafness may be noted. The severity of the signs depends on the volume of the newly grown masses. AT rare cases, with the spread of the tumor (metastasis), various neurological disorders can be observed.

Adenoma and cysts of the ceruminous glands, as mentioned above, are benign tumors, externally presented as separate rounded formations with a smooth surface, but they can ulcerate and bleed. The median age at which these tumors develop in cats is 9 years. Cysts of the ceruminous glands are usually presented as black, round, multiple dots with a smooth surface and less than 5 mm in diameter. Adenoma of the ceruminous glands, compared with adenocarcinoma, is noted in more young age, and the age of the animal can be used to suggest the nature of the tumor. Adenoma and cysts of the ceruminous glands tend to grow locally, develop secondary inflammation of the ear, swelling from the ear, and metastasis is not observed in them.

Adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands (malignant form) in cats is somewhat more common than adenoma ( benign form), observed at an older age, average age development of the disease in an animal of this species is 12 years. A malignant variant of the tumor is characterized by greater germination into the underlying tissues (often into the cartilage of the auricle) than by occlusion (overlapping) of the external auditory canal through bulging. With adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands, often formed distant metastases- the development of a tumor focus outside the zone of primary localization, the tympanic bladder, submandibular and cervical lymph nodes are often affected, and the lungs are somewhat less common.

When examining adenocarcinoma with an otoscope ( special device visualization of the outer ear), they look like ulcerated pink masses, very fragile in nature, bleed easily. Most cats have concomitant purulent inflammation external ear (purulent otitis).

It should be remembered that it is possible to finally distinguish an adenoma of the ceruminous glands from an adenocarcinoma only by examining a small piece of the tumor under a microscope. This type diagnostics is referred to as a pathomorphological study, available only in specialized laboratories. Appearance tumors only suggest the nature of the disease.

Diagnostics

When diagnosing tumors of the ceruminous glands, a clinical examination of the sick animal is first carried out, if masses are detected in the external auditory canal, otoscopy under anesthesia may be necessary to more fully determine the spread of the formation. If adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands is suspected, the submandibular and superficial cervical lymph nodes are palpated, as well as a radiographic assessment of the tympanic bladder and lungs, these methods make it possible to determine further spread or metastasis. For exact definition the prevalence of the process - such visual diagnostic tools as computed and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI, respectively) can be used.

The final diagnosis of the type of tumor requires a competent pathomorphological examination of a piece of the removed tumor. This type of research is available only in third-party laboratories.

Treatment and prognosis

Regardless of the benign or malignant tumors of the ceruminous glands, the basis of treatment is surgical excision primary foci of neoplasm growth.

In case of benign tumors of the ceruminous glands, such types of operations as resection (removal) of the lateral wall of the external auditory canal, amputation of the outer part of the auditory canal or total amputation may be required. Only with aggressive surgical tactics with excision of a large mass of affected tissues - further complete recovery is possible (a state free from the disease). With benign formations, temporary treatment is possible in the form of removing part or all of the tumor, without affecting the cartilage of the ear canal - but, as a rule, this leads only to temporary relief.

With adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands, the basis of treatment is also surgical excision, top scores achieved with complete amputation of the external auditory canal, and osteotomy of the tympanic bladder. This is a very difficult type of surgical intervention, but, with this approach - re-development tumors are much less common. Complete amputation of the external auditory canal in cats average term disease-free is 42 months. When only part of the ear canal is removed, the average disease-free life is only 10 months, and the recurrence rate is 66.7% of cases.

If adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands grows beyond the external auditory canal (usually into the surrounding soft tissues), and also, in the formation of tumor metastases (tympanic bladder, lymph nodes, lungs), radiation therapy is indicated for further control of the disease. High-quality radiation therapy is currently poorly available in Russia.

A photo. Tumors of the ceruminous glands in a 12-year-old Persian cat.

Veterinary clinic of Dr. Shubin, Balakovo

The need for such an operation arises when animals are suspected of having neoplasms (hyperplasia) in the tissues of the external auditory canal.

Very often, this problem occurs in dogs and cats after a long-term chronic otitis media. Neoplasms, usually in a malignant form, appear after the age of seven, but hyperplasia is a benign disease and can be expressed in animals even at the age of two.

The treatment of these two diseases is only surgical; in case of a malignant form of tumors, it is necessary to remove the entire external auditory canal with the capture of the submandibular lymph node (ablasticity). The part of the ear that is not visible and is located inside, below the auricle, is removed. A side effect of such an operation is deafness in the ear, but it is compensated by an improvement in the quality of life of the animal, and with small tumor processes, hearing is not lost and complete recovery occurs.

Is it possible to notice a tumor at the very beginning of its formation?

It is not so difficult, especially if the owner is attentive to the health of his pet and takes him periodically to preventive examinations. In addition, tumor and hyperplasia occurs already against the background of developed chronic otitis media, so even more attention should be paid to this problem. The tumor looks like a bright red growth, which is located inside the ear canal, but visually, without a special tool (otoscope), it can not always be seen. The best way to diagnose is to experienced specialist, and if he confirms the presence of a tumor-like process, either treatment or surgery will be required. It all depends on the stage of the tumor - it is worth remembering that oncology is treated at the earliest stages, but not later.

When the tumor grows into the surrounding tissues and into the submandibular lymph node, the third stage of the disease sets in and it is no longer possible to cure the animal. The only method is radiation therapy, with which you can try to reduce the volume of the tumor, which will prolong the life of the pet for a short time and slightly improve the quality of life, but in no case will it save you from the generalization of the process. Most often, metastases germinate within a few months and are usually localized in the lung tissue. You can see metastasis using x-rays and, unfortunately, the fourth stage cannot be treated.

Hyperplasia of the external auditory canal(benign education) will require, depending on the neglect of the process, the use of two types of operations. With complete closure of the ear canal, it is recommended to perform a total excision, otherwise there is a risk of the process turning into severe inflammation with its subsequent spread to the membranes of the brain.

With a slight proliferation of connective tissue, plastic surgery will be required, the formation of a “window” in the lower part of the vertical auditory canal, the ear begins to “breathe” and inflammation does not develop.

The operation to remove the external auditory canal consists in excising tissues by gradually removing the skin inside the animal's ear, sometimes with the removal of part of the cartilage.

Since the tissues of the ESP are abundantly supplied with blood vessels, bleeding will be controlled during the entire operation. Towards the horizontal part of the ear canal, the operation becomes more difficult, the tissue thickens, and the ear cartilage becomes thicker. At the end of the operation, a drainage system is installed to carry out preventive douching of the cavity and outflow of exudate.

Frequently Asked Doctor Questions.

What are the chances of curing an animal with a neoplasm in the auricle?

Everything depends on time. The sooner the tumor or hyperplasia is noticed by the owner, the greater the chance of curing the animal.

Can the dog be taken home immediately after the operation?

No. After removal of the external auditory canal, the animal must spend at least a day in the clinic, since the operation is considered difficult and the postoperative period will require the supervision of specialists.

What will you need to do after discharge?

At home, the animal needs to undergo a course of antibiotic therapy, as well as rinse the postoperative internal cavity through the drains and take care of the sutures. In addition, the animal must wear a surgical collar. The drainage is removed after a week, and the stitches after two weeks.

Veterinary center "DobroVet"

Sourced from www.merckmanuals.com

Tumors can develop from any structure lining or supporting the ear canal. These are the outer layer of the skin, the glands that produce earwax, some bones, connective tissues, muscles, and the middle layers of the skin. Tumors of the external ear and its canal are more common than those of the middle or inner ear. Although ear canal tumors are more common in cats than in dogs. In general, they develop relatively rarely compared to skin tumors on other parts of the body.

The exact cause of ear canal tumors is still unknown. It is believed that long-term inflammation in the unem can cause abnormal tissue growth and the formation of neoplasms, eventually leading to the formation of a tumor. clots of secretions from glands earwax during episodes of inflammation of the external auditory canal can stimulate the formation cancer cells. Ear canal tumors in cats are more likely to be malignant than benign.

Both benign and malignant tumors are more likely to affect the ear canals of middle-aged and older cats. Younger cats (3 months to 5 years of age) are more likely to develop inflammatory polyps. Signs may be prolonged discharge from the ears, ear filling with pus, bloody discharge in one of the ears, bad smell. The cat may shake its head, scratch its ears. There may be ear swelling, abscesses in the area below the affected ear, and deafness. If the inner or middle ear is affected, the cat may experience balance, coordination, head tilt, and other neurological symptoms. In cases of inflammation in one ear that does not respond to treatment, swelling of the auditory canal is also possible.

For ear canal tumors, veterinarians often recommend surgery especially if the cat's middle ear is affected.

Inflammatory polyps in cats.

Nasopharyngeal polyps- small, pinkish inflammatory neoplasms connective tissue tissue. Occurs in the external ear canal in young cats (usually between 3 months and 5 years of age). Polyps can also form in the mucous membranes that line the mucous membrane of the throat and the auditory (Eustachian) tube, the passage that connects the nasopharynx and the middle ear. They may be present at birth or appear with viral or bacterial infections. Due to obstruction of the ear canal, bacterial infections of the canal of the outer and middle ear, as well as the round bone behind the auricle, can also be observed. Symptoms inflammatory polyps in cats, similar to signs of other middle ear problems (including balance problems, coordination disorders) or inflammation of the outer (visible) part of the ear.

Diagnosis of inflammatory polyps in cats includes examination (using sedatives) vertical and horizontal ear canals using an otoscope (an instrument that allows the veterinarian to look into the depth of the canal). You may need to gently suck to see the polyp. purulent discharge. Can be used if necessary additional funds diagnostics such as CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging.

Removal is usually done surgically. At the same time, it is necessary complete removal polyp and its stem, as with incomplete removal polyps usually recover quickly.

Tumors of the sulfur glands in cats.

Benign and malignant tumors arising from the cells of the sulfur glands in the external ear canals are more often observed in adult and older cats. They are more often malignant than benign. Cats that have suffered long-term inflammation in the ears are more prone to the formation of tumors of the sulfur glands.

Malignant tumors of the sulfur glands are solid rounded pink-white formations. Often there is a knobby stem or flat areas with slowly healing abscesses. Since tumors can completely block the ear canal, they are often associated with inflammation of the outer and middle ear and are accompanied by purulent or spotting. If the middle ear is affected by the tumor, the cat may lose its sense of balance. Cancers of the sulfur glands can spread to nearby lymph nodes and salivary glands so veterinarians may recommend their removal.

Surgical removal benign tumors ear canals may be combined with the removal of part of the ear canal itself. This is useful in most cases where the round bone behind the ear is affected. The means of laser surgery are used. Surgery for removing malignant formations- the only way to completely open the ear canal and the bones in the middle ear.

Treatment must take into account many factors, including the age of the cat, the size and location of the tumor. Correctly develop a treatment program that gives maximum chances for positive result Only a qualified veterinarian can.

The need for such an operation arises when animals are suspected of having neoplasms (hyperplasia) in the tissues of the external auditory canal.
Very often, this problem occurs in dogs and cats after a long-term chronic otitis media. Neoplasms, usually in a malignant form, appear after the age of seven, but hyperplasia is a benign disease and can be expressed in animals even at the age of two. The treatment of these two diseases is only surgical; in case of a malignant form of tumors, it is necessary to remove the entire external auditory canal with the capture of the submandibular lymph node. The part of the ear that is not visible and is located inside, below the auricle, is removed. A side effect of such an operation is deafness in the ear, but it is compensated by an improvement in the quality of life of the animal, and with small tumor processes, hearing is not lost and complete recovery occurs.

What neoplasms of the external auditory canal are found in dogs and cats?

Most neoplasms of the auricle are also observed in the external auditory canal, some of them more often, others less often. For example, cases of fibroma), lipoma, chondroma are described. It should be noted that primary chondromas in the external auditory canal are very rare. There are often dermoid formations, retention cysts, tumors consisting of sulfur glands. A rarity is endothelioma of the external auditory canal.
Much more common here papillomatous growths, especially in the presence of chronic irritation of the skin of the external auditory canal with suppuration. Growing cabbage-like papillomas can fill the entire passage, simulating polyps emanating from the tympanic cavity.
Tumors of the ceruminal glands- a phenomenon widespread in cats and, less often, in dogs. In most cases, the reason for going to the doctor is the discovery by the owner of an ulcerated bleeding tumor in the external auditory canal or bleeding from the external auditory canal.

How to suspect the presence of a tumor at an early stage?

It's not that hard. The tumor often grows in animals with chronic otitis, which means that the ears are periodically examined and treated. Plus, the neoplasm often bleeds even at the initial stage of the process. The tumor looks like a bright red growth inside the ear canal. But visualization is not always possible without a special tool (otoscope). If your animal has a suspicion of a tumor of the external auditory canal, see a specialist, he will easily diagnose you.

ATTENTION!!! Oncology is treated and even cured, but in the early stages of the tumor process.

What is the diagnosis of ear canal tumors?

Diagnosis of the ear canal consists in taking anamnesis, clinical examination of the patient. The most informative diagnostic method is otoscopy. Indications for otoscopy are: itching in the ears, shaking the head, redness of the skin inside the ear, outflow from the ears (any liquid), otitis externa, foreign bodies; long-term otitis media and internal, otitis media resistant to therapy, the presence of neurological disorders associated with lesions of the vestibular apparatus.
When the tumor grows into the surrounding tissues and into the submandibular lymph node, the third stage of the disease sets in and it is no longer possible to cure the animal. The only method is radiation therapy, with which you can try to reduce the volume of the tumor, which will prolong the life of the pet for a short time and slightly improve the quality of life, but in no case will it save you from the generalization of the process. Most often, metastases germinate within a few months and are usually localized in the lung tissue. You can see metastasis using x-rays and, unfortunately, the fourth stage cannot be treated.
Hyperplasia of the external auditory canal (benign formation) will require, depending on the neglect of the process, the use of two types of surgery. With complete closure of the ear canal, it is recommended to perform a total excision, otherwise there is a risk of the process turning into severe inflammation with its subsequent spread to the membranes of the brain.

ATTENTION!!! Indications for total resection in these diseases are absolute, since it should be borne in mind that organ-preserving operations are accompanied by persistent recurrence of the disease. And recurrence can lead to malignancy of benign neoplasms and metastasis of malignant tumors. As a rule, the process of metastasis of adenocarcinomas of the ceruminous glands develops in stages: first, metastases are found in the pharyngeal lymph nodes, then in the paratracheal and prescapular lymph nodes, and then in the mediastinal lymph nodes and lungs.
Total resection is also indicated in some forms of otitis media, for example, empyema of the tympanic cavity, but in such cases, the surgical procedure is completed with a lateral osteotomy of the tympanic cavity wall. In the same way, surgical intervention is performed for polyps of the tympanic cavity.

Treatment of tumors is basically surgical.

Operations are often planned. In the clinic "Antistress" and the veterinary hospital "SQ-lap" they are carried out after the preoperative examination of the animal, which includes ECG, General and Biochemical Blood Analysis, it is necessary to maintain an 8-hour diet. Before the operation, the doctor and the owner draw up a document on the informed consent for the operation, after the owner is explained all the risks from these activities.
It is very important that the owner bring a warm blanket to the operation, it will be needed to warm the animal after the operation, absorbent disposable diapers, napkins.

REMEMBER! POSTOPERATIVE CARE CAN BE PERFORMED IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE HOSPITAL.

In case of malignant tumors, it is necessary to remove the entire external auditory canal with excision of the submandibular lymph node (total resection of the external auditory canal with lymphodenectomy). This is the so-called ablasticity, when a tumor is removed with the capture of healthy tissues and a nearby lymph node. That part of the ear that is not visible to the eye is removed and is felt, as it were, inside, below the auricle. The operation to remove the external auditory canal consists in excising tissues by gradually removing the skin inside the animal's ear, sometimes with the removal of part of the cartilage. After such an operation, the animal does not hear in one ear, but the quality of life improves and, with small stages of the tumor process, complete recovery occurs. With a slight proliferation of connective tissue, plastic surgery will be required, the formation of a “window” in the lower part of the vertical auditory canal, the ear begins to “breathe” and inflammation does not develop.
Since the tissues of the external auditory canal are abundantly supplied with blood vessels, it will be necessary to stop bleeding during the entire operation. Towards the horizontal part of the ear canal, the operation becomes more difficult, the tissue thickens, and the ear cartilage becomes thicker. At the end of the operation, a drainage system is installed to carry out preventive douching of the cavity and outflow of exudate.

View of the ear canal before surgery

Installation of drainage in the cavity of the surgical wound

Ear view after surgery

ATTENTION!!! It is necessary to treat your animals as carefully as possible, since the sooner the owners notice the tumor, the more likely it is to cure the animal.

What are the chances of curing an animal with a neoplasm in the auricle?

It all depends on the stage of development of the neoplasm, the sooner the tumor or hyperplasia is noticed by the owner, the more likely it is to cure the animal.

What kind of care is required for the operated animal?

How to take care of an animal at home?

What complications can occur during and after the operation?

1. intraoperative bleeding accompanies each operation for total resection of the external auditory canal, this is facilitated by the extreme vascularization of the operated area. The branches of the external carotid, maxillary arteries and jugular vein "entangle" the external auditory canal from the oral, aboral and ventral sides, so the usual methods of hemostasis in this operation are not effective. To stop bleeding, it is advisable to use electrothermosurgical technique. The use of this technique minimizes blood loss and significantly improves the conditions for the intervention. In addition, in the preoperative period, it is appropriate to conduct a course of drugs that improve blood clotting.
2. Paresis of the facial nerve found in all operated patients. This is an inevitable complication of this operation, and it is associated with the anatomical features of the location of the facial nerve. The facial nerve emerges from the opening of the facial canal of the temporal bone and goes around the auditory canal from the ventral side. Therefore, nerve damage during such a traumatic operation is inevitable, and this leads to nerve paresis. However, in the absolute majority of cases, the phenomena of paresis disappear 14-20 days after the operation. Despite the inevitability of paresis, it is necessary to use the most gentle operating technique and protect the facial nerve from mechanical and thermal influences.
3. Suture failure, near-wound phlegmon, arrosive bleeding occur in many patients on the 5th - 7th day after surgery. The cause of these complications is the initial purulent, often many months and even years of inflammation of the external auditory canal and middle ear. As a rule, microorganisms found in the external auditory canal (Staphylococcus; Pseudomonas; Proteus; Escherichia coli; Streptococcus, etc.) are resistant to most antibacterial agents. Resistance is due to the use of multiple local and general courses of antibiotic therapy during the period of conservative treatment. The most important measure for the prevention of these complications is the daily sanitation of the cavity of the surgical wound with a 1% solution of dioxidine through a tubular perforated drainage, which is installed during the operation and removed on the 10th - 14th day of the postoperative period. Equally important is the creation of rest of the operated area; for this, special bandages and protective collars are used to prevent scratching and excessive shaking of the ears.

ATTENTION!!! Failure to follow the rules of postoperative treatment in most cases leads to the rapid development of purulent surgical infection. Dear owners, strictly follow the doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period.