Laryngoplasty in standing horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Equine Medicine
• Respiratory Surgery

Background:

• Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is a common cause of upper airway obstruction in horses.
• Traditional laryngoplasty requires general anesthesia, posing risks during induction and recovery.
• Standing surgery offers a potentially safer and more cost-effective alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of standing laryngoplasty in a cohort of horses, primarily non-racing.
• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of this minimally invasive surgical technique.

Main Methods:

• A case series review of 71 horses diagnosed with idiopathic RLN.
• Unilateral laryngoplasty with ventriculectomy or ventriculocordectomy performed under sedation and local anesthesia.
• Intraoperative endoscopic guidance and postoperative follow-up endoscopy and clinical assessment.

Main Results:

• Standing laryngoplasty was successfully completed in all horses with good tolerance.
• No instances of arytenoid hyperabduction were observed.
• Satisfactory respiratory improvement was reported in 68 out of 71 horses, with minor complications in two.

Conclusions:

• Standing laryngoplasty is a safe and effective treatment for equine RLN, comparable to anesthetized procedures.
• This technique minimizes risks associated with general anesthesia and recovery.
• It offers reduced costs and allows precise intraoperative adjustment of arytenoid abduction.