Stent reconstruction of an injured parotid duct in a thoroughbred colt.
Authors: Lempe Antonia, Brehm Walter, Scharner Doreen
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Stent Reconstruction of an Injured Parotid Duct in a Thoroughbred Colt Chronic parotid duct injuries present a significant surgical challenge in equine practice, as disruption of salivary flow can lead to fistula formation, infection, and functional impairment. Lempe and colleagues report a novel approach to managing a 4-cm defect in the right parotid duct of a 2-year-old thoroughbred, utilising temporary stenting with an 8-French human ureteral catheter (ERU® SOFT URETERAL®) to maintain ductal patency during healing. The catheter was positioned to bridge the tissue loss, with the proximal end exiting via a buccotomy incision at the maxillary second premolar, allowing controlled drainage of saliva; following 5 weeks of stenting, primary wound healing was achieved, the stent was successfully removed, and full duct function was restored with excellent cosmetic outcome. This case demonstrates that temporary internal stenting offers a viable alternative to traditional duct ligation or complex microsurgical reconstruction, preserving normal salivary function and avoiding the chronic complications associated with permanent duct obstruction. For practitioners managing parotid injuries, this technique warrants consideration as a salvage procedure when duct continuity can be established and maintained during the critical healing phase.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Parotid duct injuries can be managed surgically using temporary stent placement to support primary healing rather than requiring complex reconstruction
- •A human ureteral catheter can be effectively repurposed as a stent to bridge parotid duct tissue defects, with one end exiting through the oral cavity
- •Monitor for saliva drainage during feeding as an indicator of successful duct healing; stent placement for 5 weeks appears sufficient for primary healing in young horses
Key Findings
- •Chronic parotid duct injury in a 2-year-old thoroughbred was successfully repaired using an 8-Fr ureteral catheter stent placed for 5 weeks
- •Primary wound healing occurred with visible saliva drainage during feeding, indicating functional restoration
- •Complete functional and cosmetic recovery was achieved following stent removal