Primary closure of equine laryngotomy incisions: a review of 42 cases

Laryngotomy incisions for either staphylectomy, ventriculectomy, cordectomy, resection of the palatopharyngeal arch, or subepiglottal cyst removal, were closed primarily in 42 horses. Incisional complications were subcutaneous emphysema (11 horses, 26%), incisional discharge (4 horses, 10%), postoperative fever (4 horses, 10%), incisional abscessation (3 horses, 7%), incisional seroma (2 horses, 5%), and subcutaneous edema (2 horses, 5%). Incisional complications were identified in 22 horses, but only 8 horses (19%) required intervention for incisional healing to occur. Factors such as preoperative and postoperative administration of antibiotics or nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, use of antibiotic lavage or drains, type of suture material and suture pattern, were not significantly associated with incisional complications. Horses with incisional complications had significantly shorter mean surgical time (P = .011) than horses without incisional complications. Surgical experience was associated with fewer complications (P = .018), but had no significant effect on the frequency of complications requiring intervention. Results of this study indicate that equine laryngotomy incisions can be closed primarily and that most will heal without need for further surgical intervention.