Partial arytenoidectomy in the horse using an extralaryngeal approach.

This study revolves around the advancement of equine medical procedures, specifically detailing the development and assessment of an extralaryngeal approach to partial arytenoidectomy, a surgery performed on horses. The method was tested for preserving laryngeal mucosa, obviating the requirement for laryngotomy or tracheotomy, and reducing postoperative complications.

Methodology and Goals

• The research was initiated by conducting experiments in vitro on isolated larynges and intact equine cadavers, aiming to develop an extralaryngeal approach to partial arytenoidectomy.
• The primary goals were threefold, namely, preservation of the laryngeal mucosa, eliminating the need for an invasive procedure like laryngotomy or tracheotomy, and minimizing subsequent complications post-surgery.

Study and Evaluation

• These new strategies were assessed on seven healthy horses with regular upper respiratory tracts.
• Left laryngeal hemiplegia was artificially induced in these animals, followed by a recuperation period of 30 days.
• Subsequently, left partial arytenoidectomy was performed applying the extralaryngeal method.
• The left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio was computed both before and after the left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy and 60 days post partial arytenoidectomy.

Results and Conclusion

• The study concluded that the left partial arytenoidectomy was accomplished successfully in all the sample horses without performing laryngotomy or tracheotomy.
• Preservation of the laryngeal mucosa was seen in most horses (6/7) and an apparent stabilization of the adjacent soft tissue was observed in the same number of horses.
• There were incidents such as a minuscule laryngeal mucosal tear in one horse and adjacent soft tissue collapse in another because of a suture failure, but both incidents healed without further problems.
• The average left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio was seen to drastically increase compared to the horses having left laryngeal hemiplegia but was less than the ratio prior to the recurrent laryngeal neurectomy.
• No adverse side effects such as coughing, aspiration, and airway narrowing were reported.

The research indicates the possibility of performing a Partial arytenoidectomy through an extralaryngeal approach in horses quite reliably, while ensuring preservation of the laryngeal mucosa in those horses that possess a normal underlying arytenoid cartilage.