Partial Arytenoidectomy in Horses

Abstract

Unilateral partial arytenoidectomy was performed in 22 horses. Six horses had arytenoid chondritis, 14 horses had idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (11 of which had been treated unsuccessfully by insertion of a laryngeal abductor muscle prosthesis), and two horses had laryngeal hemiplegia resulting from perivascular injection of an irritant drug. After surgery, eight horses (36%) developed a nasal discharge of food and/or water that was of clinical significance in only two of them. The operation resulted in marked improvement in exercise tolerance in all 20 horses tested, although two could not work because of severe exercise-associated coughing. Mild inspiratory stertor was present in eight horses and was excessive in one. It was concluded that the high incidence of problems related to swallowing rendered the method unacceptable. Modification of partial arytenoidectomy by silicon augmentation produced improvement in one horse. RYTENOIDECTOMY WAS FIRST described in 1866 inA an extensive, but unsuccessful, search for a surgical cure for laryngeal hemiplegia. ' Total arytenoidectomy resulted in postoperative dysphagia followed by death from aspiration pneumonia. Although lifethreatening complications were prevented by performing a partial arytenoidectomy , results were still largely

Evaluation of a Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System®for Use in Equine Laryngoplasty

“…Replacement of the suture prosthesis is difficult and involves sharp dissection of laryngeal structures because of adhesions and tissue fibrosis from the initial surgery 13 . Arytenoidectomy is less successful in re‐establishing full airway function than laryngoplasty 14 and can result in unacceptable complications like dysphagia 15,16 . Only 40–50% of horses that had arytenoidectomy with mucosal closure 15,16 returned to full exercise.…”

“…Arytenoidectomy is less successful in re‐establishing full airway function than laryngoplasty 14 and can result in unacceptable complications like dysphagia 15,16 . Only 40–50% of horses that had arytenoidectomy with mucosal closure 15,16 returned to full exercise. Barnes et al 17 reported a better success rate of 61–78% after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure.…”

Evaluation of partial arytenoidectomy as a treatment for equine laryngeal hemiplegia

“…The aim of arytenoidectomy is to provide an airway of maximal cross-sectional area during exercise while preserving normal swallowing (Speirs 1986). Although Haynes et al (1984) suggested that these objectives can best be achieved using subtotal arytenoidectomy, dynamic inspiratory collapse of the remaining corniculate cartilage may result in continued airway obstruction during exercise (Stick and Derksen 1989;Belknap et al 1990).…”

“…Although Haynes et al (1984) suggested that these objectives can best be achieved using subtotal arytenoidectomy, dynamic inspiratory collapse of the remaining corniculate cartilage may result in continued airway obstruction during exercise (Stick and Derksen 1989;Belknap et al 1990). Partial arytenoidectomy reportedly eliminates the collapsing comiculate cartilage (Stick and Derksen 1989) and may allow return to racing in approximately 50-75% of cases (Speirs 1986;Tulleners et al 1988). The technique has been associated with an unacceptably high incidence (36%) of dysphagia and/or coughing (Speirs 1986).…”

“…The merits of these two techniques have been evaluated subjectively based on assessment of performance and post-operative complications (Haynes et a/. 1984: Speirs 1986: Tulleners et a/. 1988.…”