Epiglottic augmentation by use of polytetrafluoroethylene to correct dorsal displacement of the soft palate in a standardbred horse.
Abstract: A 2-year-old 400-kg Standardbred colt with a history of exercise intolerance was determined to have dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Standing endoscopy revealed a soft, flaccid, and hypoplastic epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages that moved symmetrically and abducted fully. Lateral laryngeal radiography was used to calculate a corrected thyroepiglottic length of 6.48 cm. Videoendoscopy during exercise on a high-speed treadmill at standardized treadmill speeds was performed weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. The soft palate dorsally displaced at each examination. A sternohyoideus/sternothyroideus myectomy was followed by 2 weeks of stall rest and 2 weeks of treadmill training. Because endoscopy during exercise at standardized treadmill speeds caused the horse to dorsally displace the soft palate once a week for 3 weeks after the myectomy, this surgery was deemed ineffective in this horse. Epiglottic augmentation was performed by injecting 7 ml of polytetrafluoroethylene into the ventral submucosal space of the epiglottis. After 21 days of stall rest and 5 weeks of pasture rest, the horse was placed on a 2-month treadmill conditioning program. Using endoscopy at standardized treadmill speeds, exercise efforts to encourage DDSP were unsuccessful, which suggested that epiglottic augmentation by use of polytetrafluoroethylene was an effective surgical treatment to correct dorsal displacement of the soft palate in this horse. It is believed that polytetrafluoroethylene increases the rigidity of the epiglottis, allowing it to maintain the ventral position of the soft palate.
Publication Date: 1992-11-01 PubMed ID: 1429186
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Summary
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This study investigates the use of polytetrafluoroethylene injections to successfully treat dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), a performance-limiting condition in a 2-year-old Standardbred horse. The DDSP condition, which had remained unaffected by a previous surgical intervention, was significantly improved following the injection and a subsequent rehabilitation regime.
Context and Objective
- The research was conducted on a 2-year-old Standardbred colt suffering from exercise intolerance due to DDSP, a condition where the soft palate in the horse obstructs the airway.
- Initial attempts to correct this condition via a surgical myectomy procedure were unsuccessful, prompting the researchers to explore the use of polytetrafluoroethylene to augment the epiglottis.
Methodology and Approach
- The horse was initially examined using standing endoscopy and lateral laryngeal radiography. These examinations revealed conditions such as a soft and underdeveloped epiglottis and symmetrical movement in the arytenoid cartilages.
- Videoendoscopy was also used during treadmill exercise sessions, revealing repeated dorsal placement of the soft palate. This confirmed the persistent DDSP.
- Following the unsuccessful myectomy surgery and recovery period, the researchers opted to inject polytetrafluoroethylene into the ventral submucosal space of the epiglottis.
Recovery and Results
- Post-injection, the horse underwent an extensive recovery and conditioning period, spanning 21 days of stall rest, five weeks of pasture rest, and two months of treadmill conditioning.
- During this time, further treadmill exercise and endoscopic evaluations were carried out. These showed that the soft palate no longer displayed dorsal displacement during exercise, indicating a successful treatment outcome.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that their innovative use of polytetrafluoroethylene was successful in treating DDSP. This treatment could potentially be a practical solution for similar cases where conventional surgeries fail.
- It is suggested that polytetrafluoroethylene increases the rigidity of the epiglottis, enabling it to maintain the proper ventral position of the soft palate.
Cite This Article
APA
Peloso JG, Stick JA, Nickels FA, Lumsden JM, Derksen FJ.
(1992).
Epiglottic augmentation by use of polytetrafluoroethylene to correct dorsal displacement of the soft palate in a standardbred horse.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 201(9), 1393-1395.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epiglottis
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Laryngoscopy / veterinary
- Male
- Mouth Diseases / surgery
- Mouth Diseases / veterinary
- Neck Muscles / surgery
- Palate, Soft
- Physical Exertion
- Polytetrafluoroethylene
- Prostheses and Implants / veterinary
Citations
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