VN February 2023

Vetnuus | Februarie 2023 38 2] Poor Candidates for cryo : Debulking and cryotherapy are often less expensive than traditional surgical options, making them a more accessible treatment for many patients. This procedure is effective for both small and large eyelid masses, even when a large percentage of the eyelid margin is involved. Simple surgical mass excision is limited to use only if less than one-third of the eyelid margin is involved; however, debulking and cryotherapy is not limited by mass size. Debulking and cryotherapy may also preserve more eyelid tissue than standard blepharoplastic procedures, resulting in improved postoperative cosmesis. It is particularly important in cases of larger tumours where preserving eyelid surface area is of functional importance. Debulking and cryotherapy, in addition to being technically simple to perform, is also a safe procedure for patients, with minimal side effects being reported. Adenoma-papilloma- type masses are statistically more likely to recur overall. It has been shown that those which recurred had an average diameter of 2.0 mm, while the adenoma-papillomas which did not recur had an average diameter of 6.3 mm. Therefore, the increased size of the mass does not appear to be associated with an increased recurrence rate. The canine eyelids are remarkably resistant to permanent damage from cryotherapy, and cryotherapy treatment of eyelid masses has been shown to have a favourable cosmetic outcome. In conclusion, debulking and cryotherapy is an effective method of treatment for eyelid masses in dogs and cats, with a low overall recurrence rate. Reference: Retrospective evaluation of canine palpebral masses treated with debulking and cryotherapy: 46 cases. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2019;22:256–264. v Regulars I Ophthalmology Column