Clinical experiences with axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds in 52racehorses

Objective-To describe the clinical findings in 52 racehorses with axial dev iation of the aryepiglottic folds (ADAF) and to report outcome in 33 of the se horses after tither rest or transendoscopic laser excision of aryepiglot tic fold tissue. Study Design-Retrospective study. Animal or Sample Population-Racehorses admitted for high-speed treadmill (H ST) evaluation of poor performance. Methods-Medical records and videotapes of resting and exercising videoendos copic examinations were reviewed. Racing performance records and owner or t rainer interviews, at least I year after HST examination, were used to comp are results after either surgical management or rest in 33 horses with ADAF and no other upper-airway abnormalities. Results-ADAF occurred in 6% of horses evaluated for poor performance. No br eed or gender predisposition existed, but horses with ADAF were younger tha n the overall population evaluated on the HST. Of 52 horses with ADAF, 19 h orses had at least one other upper-airway abnormality. There was no apparen t association between ADAF and other causes of dynamic upper-respiratory ob struction. Surgical correction was successfully performed in standing or an esthetized horses without complications. When ADAF was the only upper-airwa y obstruction, 75% of horses that had surgery and 50% of rested horses had objective improvement in performance. Owners and trainers also perceived gr eater improvement in performance in horses that had surgery. Conclusions-Whereas surgical management of ADAF is recommended, clinical ex perience indicated that it is not required to resolve ADAF in all horses. H owever, owners and trainers of horses that had surgery were more satisfied with outcome than those with horses managed conservatively. Clinical Relevance-Diagnosis of ADAF can only be made by videoendoscopic ev aluation during high-speed exercise. Transendoscopic laser excision of the collapsing portion of the aryepiglottic folds can he performed safely in st anding horses and results in resolution of airway obstruction and rapid ret urn to training. (C) Copyright 2001 by The American College of Veterinary S urgeons.