Excision of intralaryngeal granulation tissue in 25 horses using a neodymium:YAG laser (1986 to 1991)

Granulation tissue masses arising from the axial surface of the arytenoid cartilage in 25 horses were excised using a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. A technique that eliminated the need for general anesthesia or laryngotomy was developed for transen-doscopic removal of the masses in standing horses. Nineteen racehorses made abnormal upper respiratory tract noises or their performance was decreased, whereas six horses not used for racing had a history of stertor (five horses) or epistaxis after nasogastric intubation (one horse). Thoroughbreds were significantly (p = .0126) overrepresented compared with the hospital population. The granulation tissue masses were successfully excised and the defect healed in all 25 horses, although a second excision of granulation tissue regrowth was necessary in four horses. In 21 horses, the underlying chondrosis did not progress appreciably. In four horses with preexisting moderate arytenoid cartilage thickening and concurrent laryngeal abnormalities, the surgery site healed but the underlying chondrosis progressed substantially. Twelve of 19 (63%) racehorses returned to race at least three times after the surgery. Of the 19 racehorses, five had only slight arytenoid cartilage involvement whereas 14 had moderate cartilage thickening or concurrent laryngeal pathology. All five horses with slight apparent arytenoid cartilage involvement and no concurrent laryngeal pathology returned to racing. Seven of the 14 horses (50%) with moderate underlying cartilage thickening or concurrent laryngeal pathology returned to racing. The six horses not used for racing returned to their previous activity without further respiratory problems.