Neodymium (Nd):YAG laser surgery in the equine larynx: a pilot study

Laryngeal surgery in the equine is customarily and routinely performed by means of a ventral laryngotomy incision. Such procedures are usually performed under deep general anesthesia with the horse in dorsal recumbency. The objective of this work was to determine the efficacy of an endoscopic approach coupled to a Nd:YAG laser fiber in performing arytenoidectomy. Arytenoidectomy is commonly indicated in the treatment of arytenoid chondritis and in the failure of prosthetic implantation for left laryngeal hemiplegia. This preliminary study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of the endoscopic laser approach to ablate the most difficult of the structures of the larynx, considering tissue structure and density. This procedure was accomplished by using heavy sedation and local anesthesia and was performed in the standing position. This approach appears to be feasible and makes other adjacent structures accessible via the endoscope coupled to a surgical laser. Indications for future pilot applications of laser surgery in the equine larynx are entrapment of the epiglottis, dorsal soft palate displacement, and the ablation of laryngeal cysts and polyps. This pilot study appears to offer a new modality for discrete surgical ablation of this structure, with minimal postoperative complications and a reduced or equivalent convalescent period in this valuable species of animal.