PRIMARY CLOSURE OF EQUINE LARYNGOTOMY INCISIONS - A REVIEW OF 42 CASES

Laryngotomy incisions for either staphylectomy, ventriculectomy, corde ctomy, resection of the palatopharyngeal arch, or subepiglottal cyst r emoval, were closed primarily in 42 horses. Incisional complications w ere subcutaneous emphysema (11 horses, 26%), incisional discharge (4 h orses, 10%), postoperative fever (4 horses, 10%), incisional abscessat ion (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 he aling to occur. Factors such as preoperative and postoperative adminis tration of antibiotics or nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, use of a ntibiotic lavage or drains, type of suture material and suture pattern , were not significantly associated with incisional complications. Hor ses with incisional complications had significantly shorter mean surgi cal time (P = .011) than horses without incisional complications. Surg ical experience was associated with fewer complications (P = .018), bu t had no significant effect on the frequency of complications requirin g intervention. Results of this study indicate that equine laryngotomy incisions can be closed primarily and that most will heal without nee d for further surgical intervention. (C)Copyright 1995 by The American College of veterinary Surgeons