Partial arytenoidectomy in the horse using an extralaryngeal approach

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Equine Medicine
• Respiratory Surgery

Background:

• Equine laryngeal hemiplegia is a common cause of dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
• Surgical correction often involves arytenoidectomy, but traditional methods carry risks.
• Minimizing complications and preserving laryngeal structures are key goals in equine airway surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel extralaryngeal approach for partial arytenoidectomy in horses.
• To assess the feasibility of preserving laryngeal mucosa and adjacent tissues.
• To determine if this approach eliminates the need for laryngotomy or tracheotomy.

Main Methods:

• Development of the extralaryngeal technique through in vitro and cadaveric studies.
• Surgical creation of left laryngeal hemiplegia in seven horses.
• Performance of left partial arytenoidectomy using the extralaryngeal approach after a 30-day convalescence.
• Measurement of the left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio before and after procedures.

Main Results:

• Successful completion of partial arytenoidectomy in all horses without laryngotomy or tracheotomy.
• Preservation of laryngeal mucosa in 6 out of 7 horses.
• Significant increase in the left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio post-surgery, indicating improved airway dimensions.
• No coughing, aspiration, or airway narrowing observed postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• The extralaryngeal approach for partial arytenoidectomy is a reliable and safe technique in horses.
• This method effectively preserves laryngeal mucosa and avoids the need for more invasive surgical procedures.
• It offers a promising alternative for managing equine laryngeal dysfunction with reduced complications.