Complications of Respiratory Surgery in the Horse

Respiratory surgery and procedures typically focus on conditions of the upper airway that restrict airflow at rest or exercise. This article focuses on respiratory anatomy and common surgeries of the trachea and larynx in horses. The trachea serves as the airway conduit from the larynx to the bronchi. A variety of upper airway disorders can lead to obstruction and in these instances, tracheotomy is typically utilized to bypass these obstructions and maintain airway patency. Emergency and permanent tracheotomy procedures are discussed. Other common upper airway operations, such as laryngotomy, prosthetic laryngoplasty, and others, are also examined.