AUTHOR=Barber Kevin F. , Loughin Catherine A. , Marino Dominic J. , Lesser Martin
TITLE=The Effects of Mycophenolate on the Formation of Granulation Tissue Post-operatively in Canine Tracheal Stent Patients (2014–2020)
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science
VOLUME=8
YEAR=2021
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.697513
DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.697513
ISSN=2297-1769
ABSTRACT=Objectives: To determine if mycophenolate mofetil reduces the incidence and severity of granulation tissue in-growth in canine tracheal stent patients.
Study design: Randomized clinical trial.
Animals: 111 dogs from the hospital population.
Methods: Client-owned dogs that received an endoluminal self-expanding tracheal stent for canine tracheal collapse between 2014 and 2020 were randomly assigned into one of two treatment groups. Control group medication protocol consisted of prednisone 0.5 mg/kg PO BID/SID/EOD × 30 days, hydrocodone 0.25 mg/kg PO TID × 30 days, and cefovecin 8 mg/kg SQ post-placement. Mycophenolate group medication protocol was identical to the control group medication protocol with the addition of mycophenolate mofetil 10 mg/kg PO BID × 30 days, SID for life. Recheck tracheoscopy was performed at 1, 3, and 6 months post-stent placement. Presence and severity of granulation tissue were determined by tracheoscopy and were recorded as a percentage of tracheal lumen obstruction by blinded evaluators (none present, <25%, >25–50%, and >50%).
Results: At none of the three time points was there a statistically significant difference in grade between controls and those receiving mycophenolate (p = 0.467, p = 0.330, and p = 0.410).
Conclusions and Clinical Significance: Our results suggest that mycophenolate can be safely given to these patients but do not support that its administration will reduce the incidence and severity of granulation tissue. Although a difference was observed in the severity of granulation tissue between the two groups, loss to follow-up may have influenced conclusions. A larger study would be warranted to further evaluate the effect of mycophenolate on the development of granulation tissue.