A new needle biopsy approach for dolphins with lesions in the pterygoid sinus

Abstract

To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous studies on a surgical approach for lesions in the pterygoid sinus of dolphins as it lies deep in the oropharyngeal area and there is risk of bleeding. For such lesions, we undertook a surgical approach for dolphins under general anesthesia. The line of incision was located on the oral mucosa anterior to the palatine bone. A surgical approach with needle biopsy was used to reach the lesion in the pterygoid sinus from within the crest of the pterygoid. Subsequently, this approach was confirmed to be minimally invasive, simple, and safe for dolphins with lesions in the pterygoid sinus.