Tracheal reconstruction in a foal

A 6-month-old Standardbred foal was admitted for repair of an acquired tracheal deformity. At 2 months of age, 4 midcervical tracheal rings had been transected and, as a result, that portion of the trachea would collapse when the foal became excited or was exercising. At surgery, partial chondrotomies allowed remodeling of the deformed rings, which were then anchored to 2 partially encircling, polypropylene prostheses. After surgical repair, the horse raced successfully.