Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy or staphylectomy for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses: 209 cases (1986-1991).
Abstract: The efficacy of sternothyrohyoideus myectomy (SM) and staphylectomy as treatments for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was evaluated in 209 racehorses (126 Thoroughbreds, 83 Standardbreds). The 2 most common complaints were respiratory tract noise (75% of horses) and exercise intolerance (51% of horses). Stopping, defined as the inability to finish the race at racing speed, was reported in 40% of the horses. Endoscopy at rest revealed evidence of abnormal epiglottic anatomy (hypoplasia or flaccidity) in 51% of the horses and abnormal soft palate function in 36% of the horses. Race records were available for 149 (77 Thoroughbreds, 72 Standardbreds) horses. The sex distribution consisted of 38% sexually intact males, 20% geldings, and 42% females, with a mean age of 3.4 years. Sixty-nine horses underwent staphylectomy, with a mean of 16 weeks to first stage after surgery. Eighty horses underwent SM, with a mean of 10 weeks to first start. Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy was performed on significantly more (P < 0.05). Thoroughbreds than Standardbreds, and staphylectomy was performed on significantly (P < 0.0001; chi 2 = 39.56) more Standardbreds than Thoroughbreds. After surgery, most horses (74%) had no change in class; however, more moved up in class (17%) than down (9%). On the basis of comparison of earnings for 3 starts before surgery with that for 3 starts after surgery, successful outcome was obtained in 60% of the horses (35 Thoroughbreds, 13 Standardbreds) that received SM and in 59% of the horses (11 Thoroughbreds, 30 Standardbreds) that received a staphylectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1995-06-15 PubMed ID: 7790306
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study evaluates the effectiveness of sternothyrohyoideus myectomy (SM) and staphylectomy in treating intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses.
Study Overview
- 209 racehorses were examined during this study, including 126 Thoroughbreds and 83 Standardbreds.
- The study focused on examining the efficacy of two main treatments, sternothyrohyoideus myectomy (SM) and staphylectomy, in horse races suffering from intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Main Findings
- The study found that the most common complaints among the horses were respiratory tract noise (75% of cases) and exercise intolerance (51% of cases).
- The researchers found that ‘stopping’ was reported in 40% of the horses. ‘Stopping’ refers to a condition where the horse can’t complete a race at full racing speed.
- The researchers also conducted endoscopy examinations which revealed abnormal epiglottic anatomy in 51% of the cases and abnormal soft palate function in 36% of cases.
Treatment Evaluation
- According to the results, 69 horses underwent a staphylectomy procedure, with horses mostly returning to the race after an average of 16 weeks post-surgery.
- On the other hand, 80 horses went through the SM treatment, with most returning to racing after an average of 10 weeks post-surgery.
- Thoroughbreds underwent SM more often, while Standardbreds underwent staphylectomies more often.
Post-surgery Results
- After surgery, the majority of the horses (74%) did not change in class, meaning that their racing performance remained the same. However, more horses improved (went up in class, 17%) than worsened (went down in class, 9%).
- The results demonstrate a relatively similar success rate for both treatments, with 60% successful outcomes for SM treatment and 59% for staphylectomy, based on the comparison of earnings for 3 starts before surgery and 3 starts after surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Anderson JD, Tulleners EP, Johnston JK, Reeves MJ.
(1995).
Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy or staphylectomy for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses: 209 cases (1986-1991).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 206(12), 1909-1912.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Epiglottis / anatomy & histology
- Exercise Tolerance
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Palate, Soft / physiopathology
- Palate, Soft / surgery
- Pharyngeal Muscles / surgery
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Respiratory Sounds / etiology
- Respiratory Sounds / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
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