Outcomes of Treatment of Eyelids and Third Eyelid Tumours in Dogs Using High-Frequency Radiowave Surgery

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In canine eyelid surgery, intraoperative bleeding is a common feature that may obscure the surgical field view and lead to increased perioperative complications. High-frequency radiowave electrocautery has demonstrated several advantages in human medicine, including shorter surgery times and effective haemostasis. In this study, the records of 52 surgical excisions of canine eyelid and third eyelid tumours using high-frequency radiowave electrocautery were reviewed in order to evaluate the efficacy and benefits of this technique. Anamnesis, clinical signs, duration of surgery, success/recurrence rate, and complications were recorded. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted. The surgical incisions healed within 14 days in all the dogs, and no recurrences were reported in the 12 months after surgery. The use of high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery for the excision of eyelid and third eyelid tumours in dogs is effective and safe, without any intraoperative and postoperative complications in the 1-year follow-up period. ABSTRACT: In human ophthalmology, the benefits of using high-frequency radiowave (HFR) electrocautery for surgical procedures were demonstrated and include effective haemostasis, shorter surgery times, and rapid recovery. In canine eyelid surgery, intraoperative bleeding is a common feature that may obscure the surgical field view and lead to the increased swelling of adjacent tissues, bruising, and pain. To evaluate the efficacy and benefits of HFR electrocautery in canine eyelid and third eyelid surgery, the medical records of 48 surgical excisions of eyelid tumours (involving up to one-third of the eyelid length) and 4 third eyelid excisions were reviewed. The information was collected including the breed, age, clinical signs, HFR power setting and mode of the surgical unit, electrode used for the surgery, intraoperative complications, histopathological diagnosis, and postoperative outcomes. Surgical techniques were performed using the Surgitron Dual 3.8 MHz Frequency RF device (Ellman International, Oceanside, NY, USA). Intraoperative bleeding was recorded as absent or very mild, and the surgical procedures were very fast. No complications occurred during the procedures. Healing within 10 days was observed in all the dogs. No tumour recurrences were recorded at the 12-month follow-up. HFR electrosurgery proved to be a safe, effective, and easy-to-perform technique for the removal of eyelid and third eyelid tumours in dogs.