Stent Types for
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs
Silicone Stents vs.
Nitinol Wire Stents
There are two currently two main types of stents for laryngeal paralysis in dogs: the silicone stent and the Nitinol stent.
Dumon Silicone Stent
Currently, the most common type of silicone stent for laryngeal paralysis is the Dumon stent. First developed in the late 1980s, the Dumon stent is a tubular prothesis with studs on the exterior wall to anchor the prothesis in the tissue of the airway. Dumon and similar stent silicone stent designs were the only airway prothesis available until the early 2000s when self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) using Nitinol were developed for airway use. However, the FDA has recently issued warnings for human use of Nitinol stents, which is sure to have repercussions for veterinary applications.
Nitinol Stent
For canine laryngeal paralysis, only one Nitinol stenting product has been developed — the Dextronix DexStent LN. While other Nitinol airway stents are a tubular mesh, this product is double-loop of Nitinol wire. The only information available about it is on the Dextronix website and to date no research data about the product has been publicly released. There are legitimate safety concerns with this product. For more information, see this article in the News & Notes section.
Laryngeal Stent Types
- Silicon Stent FAQs
- Nitinol Stent FAQs
Silicone stents are inexpensive, have been used in human medicine for over 50 years, and are being used to treat LarPar in a growing number of clinics around the globe.
How do silicone stents work?
How is a silicone stent implanted?
How much do silicone stents cost?
Do silicone stents ever need to be replaced?
Do silicone stents have side‑effects?
Has any dog ever died after a stent implant?
Laryngeal Stent Types
- Silicon Stent FAQs
- Nitinol Stent FAQs
Silicone stents are inexpensive, have been used in human medicine for over 50 years, and are being used to treat LarPar in a growing number of clinics around the globe.