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Johnson et al: Comparison of short- and long-term objective respiratory outcomes after surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Long-term respiratory outcomes after BOAS surgery remained improved vs. preoperative values, with no significant decline over time.
  • Short-term and long-term Respiratory Functional Grades (RFGs) improved in 81% of dogs, with 34% improving by two grades.
  • BOAS indices improved significantly in both short- and long-term follow-ups (mean decrease ~23–25%), supporting sustained benefit.
  • No significant difference between short- and long-term BOAS indices (p = .623), indicating durability of surgical effects.
  • Obesity impacted outcomes — dogs with increased RFG at long-term follow-up were more likely to have gained weight.
  • Owner-reported outcomes poorly correlated with objective measures — some dogs classified as BOAS-affected were perceived by owners as “normal.”
  • Multilevel surgery was common, with palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, and ala-vestibuloplasty most frequently performed.
  • Dogs undergoing revision airway surgery were excluded, possibly biasing long-term outcomes toward favorable results.

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← Articles

Johnson et al: Comparison of short- and long-term objective respiratory outcomes after surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Long-term respiratory outcomes after BOAS surgery remained improved vs. preoperative values, with no significant decline over time.
  • Short-term and long-term Respiratory Functional Grades (RFGs) improved in 81% of dogs, with 34% improving by two grades.
  • BOAS indices improved significantly in both short- and long-term follow-ups (mean decrease ~23–25%), supporting sustained benefit.
  • No significant difference between short- and long-term BOAS indices (p = .623), indicating durability of surgical effects.
  • Obesity impacted outcomes — dogs with increased RFG at long-term follow-up were more likely to have gained weight.
  • Owner-reported outcomes poorly correlated with objective measures — some dogs classified as BOAS-affected were perceived by owners as “normal.”
  • Multilevel surgery was common, with palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, and ala-vestibuloplasty most frequently performed.
  • Dogs undergoing revision airway surgery were excluded, possibly biasing long-term outcomes toward favorable results.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, which surgical combination was most commonly performed among the long-term assessed dogs?

A. Staphylectomy + rhinoplasty + tracheostomy
B. Folded flap palatoplasty only
C. Staphylectomy + tonsillectomy + ala-vestibuloplasty
D. Folded flap palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, ala-vestibuloplasty
E. Folded flap palatoplasty, cuneiformectomy, ala-vestibuloplasty

Answer: Folded flap palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, ala-vestibuloplasty

Explanation: This combination was performed in 31.3% of the long-term cohort — the most common approach used.
In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, which measure showed no significant difference between short- and long-term postoperative assessments?

A. Owner satisfaction scores
B. Body condition score
C. Respiratory functional grade
D. BOAS index
E. Both RFG and BOAS index

Answer: BOAS index

Explanation: Short- and long-term BOAS index values were statistically equivalent (p = .623), indicating durability of surgical benefit.
In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, which statement best describes the observed change in Respiratory Functional Grades (RFGs) after surgery?

A. Most dogs worsened by 1 or more grades in the long term
B. Grades improved short-term but returned to baseline long-term
C. Grades improved and remained stable in most dogs
D. Long-term grades were significantly better than short-term
E. No meaningful change was noted

Answer: Grades improved and remained stable in most dogs

Explanation: In 81% of dogs, RFGs improved after surgery and remained stable in the long term, with no significant decline.
In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, which factor was most associated with worsening RFGs in the long term?

A. Age of the dog
B. Breed
C. Obesity
D. Owner-reported outcome
E. Time since surgery

Answer: Obesity

Explanation: Among dogs with worsening RFGs, 66% also had increased body condition scores, suggesting obesity as a factor.

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