🔍 Key Findings
- Intraoral approach (IOA) reduced surgical time compared to lateral orbitotomy (median: 42.0 vs 65.7 minutes, p = .005)
- Ease of closure (Stage III) was better with IOA (p < .001), though gland removal (Stage II) was easier with LOA (p = .039)
- Complete gland removal was achieved in 8/10 IOA vs 10/10 LOA cases in cadaveric study
- All 3 clinical cases had uneventful recoveries post-IOA, including one carcinoma, with no intra- or short-term postoperative complications
- LOA had superior surgical exposure, but was more invasive and time-consuming
- IOA posed greater difficulty in complete gland removal in brachycephalic dogs, with remnant tissue noted in 2/10 cadavers
- IOA avoids osteotomy, reducing potential complications like delayed union and postoperative pain
- Cosmetic outcomes and healing were better with IOA, and no E-collar was required postoperatively
