Racing performance following prosthetic laryngoplasty using a polyurethane prosthesis combined with a laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy for treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in 78 Thoroughbred racehorses.

This research investigates the effectiveness of using a Lycra prosthesis in prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) with laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy to treat recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) in Thoroughbred racehorses. The paper demonstrates that such a technique improves the racing performance of the treated horses and has a lower post-operative complication rate.

Objective and Methods

• The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of a Lycra prosthesis used in a prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) treatment alongside a transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy to restore racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses suffering from recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN).
• In this retrospective case study, the researchers examined medical records and pre and post-operative racing performance indices from 78 Thoroughbred racehorses.
• The study recorded each horse’s case history, identified any postoperative complications, and kept track of the PL’s success or failure.
• The horse’s racing performance was evaluated using Beyer Speed Figures (BSF), earnings, and a performance index (PI), with performance comparisons made between the three races before and after surgery.

Results

• The results of the study showed that 82% of the horses that raced before surgery and 75% of horses that had not raced before surgery competed in at least one race after the operation.
• The last race before surgery for the researched horses revealed lower BSF and PI values. After surgery, these parameters regained their preoperative values in 73% and 78% of horses respectively.
• The surgery had a lower failure rate and immediate postoperative complication rate compared to other prosthesis materials reported in previous studies.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that Thoroughbred racehorses with RLN have a good outlook for successful racing after undergoing a PL treatment using a Lycra prosthesis.
• The specified surgical approach is associated with a lower postoperative complication rate and an increase in racing performance indicators (PI and BSF) after the operation.
• The study suggests that Lycra can be a viable prosthetic material for PL, given its low complication rate and similar effectiveness to previously reported rigid prostheses.