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Equine veterinary journal2020; 52(5); 752-759; doi: 10.1111/evj.13221

Evaluation of the effect of laser salpingopharyngostomy on the guttural pouch environment in horses.

Abstract: Laser salpingopharyngostomy has been used as an adjunct to primary medical therapy allowing for topical debridement, topical treatment or to potentially alter the guttural pouch environment in horses with guttural pouch disease. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a laser salpingopharyngostomy on the guttural pouch environment in healthy horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: In six adult Standardbred female horses, under standing sedation a stab incision was made ventral to the sternocephalicus tendon and a customised trocar inserted into the medial guttural pouch compartment. Baseline (day 0) temperature, humidity, oxygen (O2 ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) levels were recorded. A laser salpingopharyngostomy was subsequently made into the right guttural pouch. The guttural pouch environment was re-sampled as above on days 7 and 14 to detect differences in the local environment of the guttural pouch caused by the laser salpingopharyngostomy. Results: The guttural pouch environment was altered by the laser salpingopharyngostomy. Baseline recorded values within the guttural pouch were highly constant within each horse. Post laser salpingopharyngostomy there was considerable variation within the guttural pouch between horse and during the period of sampling. Specifically, CO2 levels post laser salpingopharyngostomy appeared to be linked directly to the horse's respiratory pattern with peaks and troughs recorded post laser salpingopharyngostomy. The variation in CO2 was significantly different at days 7 and 14 post laser salpingopharyngostomy compared with baseline levels (day 7 = 6 mm Hg, day 14 = 8.83 mm Hg). Oxygen levels were also more varied during sampling compared with baseline (day 7 = 3.4%, day 14 = 1.83%). There was no change in humidity or temperature during the study. Conclusions: This study was conducted on horses with no evidence of guttural pouch abnormalities or disease. Conclusions: Laser salpingopharyngostomy alters the guttural pouch environment and this may be useful in the treatment of guttural pouch disease where this alteration is desirable.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-19 PubMed ID: 31821585DOI: 10.1111/evj.13221Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the impact of laser salpingopharyngostomy, a surgical procedure, on the guttural pouch environment in healthy horses and evaluates whether it could serve as a beneficial treatment for guttural pouch disease.

Research Methodology

This experimental study was conducted on six adult Standardbred female horses. The researchers utilized a specialized headlight to insert a customized trocar into the medial guttural pouch compartment of each horse. In order to monitor and measure changes in the guttural pouch environment as a result of the laser salpingopharyngostomy, the following were recorded at the baseline (day 0):
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Oxygen (O2) levels
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels
A surgical procedure called laser salpingopharyngostomy was then performed on the right guttural pouch of each horse. Following the procedure, the guttural pouch environment was re-sampled at days 7 and 14.

Results and Findings

The effect of the laser salpingopharyngostomy was that it brought considerable variation within the guttural pouch environment:
  • Baseline recorded values within the guttural pouch were highly consistent within each horse.
  • Post-procedure, carbon dioxide levels fluctuated considerably, directly linked to the horse’s respiratory pattern. Specifically, carbon dioxide levels were significantly different at days 7 and 14 post laser salpingopharyngostomy (day 7 = 6 mm Hg, day 14 = 8.83 mm Hg) compared with baseline levels.
  • Oxygen levels also varied more during the sampling period compared with baseline levels (day 7 = 3.4%, day 14 = 1.83%).
  • The study found no change in humidity or temperature.

Conclusion

This study was performed on healthy horses showing no evidence of abnormalities or guttural pouch disease. The results indicated that laser salpingopharyngostomy alters the guttural pouch environment, particularly in terms of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, which can potentially be beneficial for the treatment of guttural pouch disease, where such alteration could be desired.

Cite This Article

APA
Jukic CC, Cowling NR, Perkins NR, van Eps AW, Ahern BJ. (2020). Evaluation of the effect of laser salpingopharyngostomy on the guttural pouch environment in horses. Equine Vet J, 52(5), 752-759. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13221

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 5
Pages: 752-759

Researcher Affiliations

Jukic, Chantelle C
  • UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Cowling, Nicholas R
  • UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Perkins, Nigel R
  • UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
van Eps, Andrew W
  • New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ahern, Benjamin J
  • UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Eustachian Tube
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses

References

This article includes 23 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Jeong S, Bond S, Bayly W, Sole-Guitart A. Laser fenestration of the dorsal pharyngeal recess does not correct experimentally induced dorsal nasopharyngeal collapse in horses. Vet Surg 2026 Jan;55(1):88-100.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.70023pubmed: 41074232google scholar: lookup
  2. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
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