The night prior to soft palate resection, your dog will need to be fasted from food. Blood tests may be performed a few days prior to surgery to ensure your dog does not have an infection and is not likely to experience complications from surgery. On the day of surgery your dog will be sedated, and intravenous anesthetic will be administered. When your dog is in a deep sleep an endotracheal tube will be inserted, and anesthetic sustained by gas throughout the procedure.
The tongue is moved aside, and the area where excision is to take place is determined. Usually the juncture of the epiglottis and soft palate is a starting point for soft palate resection. A scalpel, electrocautery tool or CO2 laser is used to perform the excision of excess soft palate tissue. The endotracheal tube is covered with gauze if a laser is being used so as not to damage the breathing tube, and the oral cavity packed with gauze to prevent inhalation and ingestion of blood during the surgical procedure. Forceps are used to hold the rear portion of the soft palate and stretch and manipulate the soft palate so that excess tissue can be removed. Stay sutures may be used to hold palate tissues in place during the procedure. Excess tissue is resected, and if excision with a scalpel is performed, the incision is sutured. Laser and electrocautery tools do not require suturing. Once the procedure has been completed your dog will be moved into a recovery area and monitored as they regain consciousness.