ALAR FOLD RESECTION IN HORSES - 24 CASES (1979-1992)

Between 1979 and 1992, the alar folds were resected bilaterally in 22 horses and unilaterally in 2 horses. Abnormal respiratory tract noise and exercise intolerance were the primary complaints prior to surgery. Significantly (P = 0.01) more Standardbreds underwent resection of th e alar folds, compared with the number of Standardbreds in the hospita l population during the same period. The alar folds palpated abnormall y thick in 13 houses and normal in 11 horses. Temporary dilatation of the nares with mattress sutures or clips lessened the respiratory trac t noise and improved exercise tolerance in all 8 horses in which the d iagnostic test was performed. Manual elevation of the alar folds reduc ed respiratory noise in the 11 horses evaluated. Long-term follow-up e valuation by telephone was available for 14 horses. All surgical incis ions had healed cosmetically Respiratory tract noise was decreased, an d exercise tolerance improved in 10 of 14 (71%) horses. Complete chart ed racing information was obtained for 16 horses. Fourteen houses star ted their first race a mean of 118 days (range, 13 to 321 days) after surgery. The mean number of starts after surgery was 51, with 14 of 16 (88%) horses starting move than 6 times after surgery. Of the 16 hous es, 8 horses raced at least 3 times before and after surgery, 4 had im proved racing performance, 2 had similar performance, and 2 had decrea sed performance. Five Standardbreds never raced, and 1 Standardbred ra ced once before surgery. All 6 Standardbreds were able to complete at least 6 starts after surgery (range, 6 to 140 race starts). Eight hous es, subjectively, had narrow nasal passages as determined by physical and endoscopic examination. Of these, 4 did not race after surgery, 3 raced successfully to owners' satisfaction, and 1 raced but continued to experience respiratory impairment. Surgical resection of the alar f olds was an effective and cosmetic surgical technique for relief of ai rway obstruction associated with the alar folds.