Efficacy of thermal cautery for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate as compared to conservatively treated horses: results from 78 treadmill diagnosed horses.
Abstract: Previously, objective comparisons of surgical procedures to relieve dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) have been limited by the presumptive basis of the diagnostic measures applied. Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of thermal cautery surgery to conservatively treated controls in racehorses definitively diagnosed with idiopathic intermittent DDSP. Objective: Both conservative and surgical treatments have a beneficial result on racing performance in racehorses affected with DDSP. Methods: Race records were obtained for Thoroughbred racehorses definitively diagnosed with DDSP using high-speed treadmill endoscopy. Racing performance was assessed based on prize money won. Results: Forty-eight horses that underwent thermal cautery and 30 conservatively treated controls were included. Pretreatment earnings significantly decreased in the race immediately prior to diagnosis. A high proportion of previously raced horses returned to racing after both treatments (90-96%). Intrahorse comparison of earnings in 3 races pre- vs. post treatment showed that 53% of conservatively treated horses and 36% of the thermal cautery group had improved performance. Although the difference between these 2 groups may be interpreted as being clinically significant, it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: A higher percentage of conservatively treated controls had improved individual performance compared to horses treated with thermal cautery. Thermal cautery appears less effective than other previously published surgical treatments for DDSP. Comparison of the 2 treatment methods should be interpreted cautiously because treatments were not randomised, resulting in baseline variability between groups.
Publication Date: 2009-03-24 PubMed ID: 19301584DOI: 10.2746/042516408x330383Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper studies and compares the effectiveness of thermal cautery surgery and conservative treatment in racehorses diagnosed with idiopathic intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). According to the study results, both treatments improved racing performance, but a higher percentage of conservatively treated horses showed improved performance compared to those that underwent thermal cautery.
Objectives
- The main objective of this study was to assess and compare two different treatment methods for racehorses diagnosed with idiopathic intermittent DDSP, a condition that can impact the horse’s performance. The treatments studied were thermal cautery surgery and conservative treatment.
Methods
- The study used race records from Thoroughbred racehorses definitively diagnosed with DDSP through high-speed treadmill endoscopy.
- The researchers then measured the effectiveness of the treatments by comparing the horses’ racing performance pre and post-treatment, using the prize money won as the metric for performance.
Results
- The study included 48 horses that underwent thermal cautery and 30 horses which received conservative treatment.
- It was found that earnings significantly fell in the race prior to diagnosis for both groups.
- Between 90 to 96% of the horses returned to racing after treatment.
- Post-treatment, 53% of the conservatively treated horses showed improved performance compared to 36% of the thermal cautery group.
Conclusions
- Based on the results, a higher proportion of conservatively treated horses improved their performance compared to those treated with thermal cautery surgery.
- The authors concluded that thermal cautery appears less effective than other surgical procedures previously studied for treating DDSP.
- However, it was noted that the comparison of the two treatment methods should be interpreted with caution because the study was not randomized, resulting in baseline variability between groups.
Cite This Article
APA
Barakzai SZ, Boden LA, Hillyer MH, Marlin DJ, Dixon PM.
(2009).
Efficacy of thermal cautery for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate as compared to conservatively treated horses: results from 78 treadmill diagnosed horses.
Equine Vet J, 41(1), 65-69.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x330383 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Cautery / methods
- Cautery / veterinary
- Epiglottis / surgery
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses / abnormalities
- Horses / surgery
- Larynx / abnormalities
- Larynx / surgery
- Palate, Soft / abnormalities
- Palate, Soft / surgery
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / surgery
- Respiratory System Abnormalities / veterinary
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
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