# Tracheal External Support Using a Parallel Loop Line Prosthesis for Tracheal Stent Fracture in a Dog: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A dog with a broken tracheal stent was successfully treated with an external support device, offering a new surgical option for this complication.

## Contribution

This case report introduces the use of a parallel loop line prosthesis as an external tracheal support for managing stent fractures in dogs.

## Key findings

- The parallel loop line prosthesis restored normal tracheal shape and maintained airway stability for several months.
- Postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed improved tracheal patency with no further deformation or stent damage.
- The method avoided introducing additional intraluminal material, which is a novel approach for this condition.

## Abstract

Tracheal collapse is a common respiratory disease in small dogs, and endoluminal tracheal stents are often used when medical treatment is not enough. However, stent fracture is a serious complication, and the best way to manage it is not well established. In this case, a dog developed severe breathing problems after its tracheal stent fractured. Instead of placing another stent, a parallel loop line prosthesis was used to support the trachea from the outside. This method restored the normal tracheal shape and maintained airway stability for several months. This case suggests that parallel loop line prosthesis may be a useful surgical option for dogs with fractured tracheal stents.

Tracheal stent fracture is a major complication of endoluminal tracheal stent (ELS) for canine tracheal collapse, and optimal management strategies remain unclear. A 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier presented with respiratory distress caused by complete ELS fracture. Imaging and bronchoscopy revealed intraluminal protrusion of fractured stent segments, ventral tracheal cartilage invagination, and marked luminal deformation. A parallel loop line prosthesis (PLLP) was selected as an external tracheal support. Its continuous band-like structure allowed broad and uniform reinforcement of the tracheal wall and redistribution of mechanical stress. PLLP placement successfully restored a near-normal tracheal contour and stabilized the fractured stent without introducing additional intraluminal material. Postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed improved tracheal patency, and no further deformation or stent damage was observed despite several months of altered airway dynamics associated with laryngeal paralysis. This case suggests that PLLP may represent a valid surgical option for managing tracheal stent fracture in dogs.