Staged Double-Layer Closure of Palatal Defects in 6 Dogs

Objective: To report a staged approach that includes selective dental extractions before definitive double-layer hard palate defect closure in dogs. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Animals: Dogs (n=6) with a palatal defect. Methods: Dogs had selective maxillary teeth extractions 4-8 weeks before definitive hard palate defect repair by double-layer local full-thickness mucosal flaps. Results: All palatal defects were considered complex. Complete hard palate closure was achieved after initial attempt in 3 dogs; 2 dogs had revision surgery before complete closure, and in 1 dog, closure failed and further treatment was declined. No complications or long-term consequences were associated with selective dental extractions. Conclusions: Selective dental extractions before definitive surgical repair using mucosal flaps in a double-layer approach is an effective alternative when treating complex hard palate defects in dogs.