EPIGLOTTIC AUGMENTATION FOR TREATMENT OF DORSAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE SOFT PALATE IN RACEHORSES - 59 CASES (1985-1994)

Objective-To determine whether epiglottic augmentation, in conjunction with more traditional surgical methods, would be useful in the treatm ent of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses. Design-Re trospective study. Animals-40 Thoroughbred and 19 Standardbred racehor ses. Procedure-Polytetrafluoroethylene paste was injected submucosally on the lingual epiglottic surface of each horse. In addition, sternot hyrohyoideus myectomy or sternothyroideus tenectomy and staphylectomy were performed in most horses. Results-Racing performance was improved after surgery in 29 of 40 (73%) Thoroughbreds and 10 of 19 (53%) Stan dardbreds. Twenty-nine (49%) horses won greater than or equal to 1 rac e after surgery. Clinical implications-Results suggest that epiglottic augmentation, in conjunction with other surgical methods, may be an e ffective method of treating horses with poor racing performance attrib utable to dorsal displacement of the soft palate.