LARYNGOPLASTY WITH OR WITHOUT VENTRICULECTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF LEFT LARYNGEAL HEMIPLEGIA IN 230 RACEHORSES

Objective-The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of la ryngoplasty on racing performance and to determine if any of the follo wing variables had a significant effect on outcome: breed (Thoroughbre d v Standardbred), endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, ventriculec tomy versus no ventriculectomy, type of prosthetic suture used, and nu mber of prostheses placed. Study Design-Retrospective study of laryngo plasty with or without ventriculectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in racehorses between 1986 and 1993. Animals or Sample Pop ulation-230 horses (174 Thoroughbreds, 56 Standardbreds).Methods-The m edical records of racehorses or horses intended for racing were review ed. Signalment, admitting complaints, physical examination findings, r esting endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, type of prosthetic sutu re material used, number of prosthetic sutures placed, presence or abs ence of ventriculectomy, and postoperative complications were recorded . Results-Upper respiratory tract noise and exercise intolerance were the most common presenting complaints. Two horses had a laryngeal grad e of 2, 109 horses a laryngeal grade of 3, and 119 horses a laryngeal grade of 4. Two double-strand braided polyester sutures were used in 1 47 horses, a single double-strand polyester suture was used in 49 hors es, and a single double-strand nylon suture was used in 34 horses. Ven triculectomy was performed on 186 horses. The most common complication recognized during hospitalization was coughing in 50 horses. Telephon e follow-up was obtained for 176 horses. For 168 horses, respiratory n oise after surgery was decreased in 126 horses, the same in 28, and in creased in 14. After hospital discharge, coughing occurred in 43 of 16 6 horses, and a nasal discharge occurred in 26 horses. Postoperative r acing performance for 167 horses was subjectively evaluated by respond ents as being improved in 69% of the horses. Overall owner satisfactio n with the outcome after surgery was 81%. Of 230 horses, 178 raced at least one time after surgery. Overall, 117 horses raced three or more times before and after surgery, and 65 of these horses had improved pe rformance index scores. None of the variables of surgical interest aff ected performance index scores. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Lar yngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy allowed 77% of the horses t o race at least one time after surgery, improved racing performance in 56% of the horses that completed three races before and after surgery , and improved subjectively evaluated racing performance in 69% of the horses. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surg eons.