Outcomes of horses treated with removal of a laryngoplasty prosthesis.

This study investigates the proportion of horses treated by laryngoplasty prosthesis removal (LPR) due to complications from prosthetic laryngoplasty (LP), the reasons for LPR, and its outcomes on iatrogenic coughing/dysphagia. The findings suggest that coughing/dysphagia was a common reason for LPR and that for most horses, clinical signs improved after LPR.

Study Methodology

• This paper is based on a retrospective study, meaning historical data was used rather than live data for the research.
• The study involved client-owned horses that were treated with LP and LPR by the same surgeon.
• A total of 1,202 horses treated with LP and 58 horses treated with LPR were included in the study.
• Clinical case records were examined to ascertain the proportion of horses treated with both LP and LPR.
• Relevant data, such as historical, clinical, endoscopic, and surgical data, was gathered for the horses that underwent LPR.
• To evaluate long-term outcomes in horses, a questionnaire was used.

Study Findings

• The research found that 3.5% (42 out of 1,202) of the horses treated with LP were also treated with LPR by the same surgeon.
• Ninety percent (52 out of 58) of horses had LPR due to coughing/dysphagia.
• Follow-ups for evaluating the outcomes of horses that underwent LPR for coughing/dysphagia were available in 32 cases.
• The study found no significant influence of arytenoid abduction grade at the time of LPR on clinical response (P = .416).
• After LPR, presenting clinical signs were resolved in 66% (21 out of 32) horses, and 75% (24 out of 32) horses returned to exercise.

Conclusion

• According to the study, coughing/dysphagia was the principal reason for performing LPR.
• Most horses showed improvement in clinical signs following LPR.
• The research concludes that LPR can be a beneficial treatment option for horses suffering from unmanageable coughing/dysphagia resulting from LP.