Surgical repair of iatrogenic soft palate defects in two horses.

The research is about two young thoroughbred horses who underwent successful surgical repairs for iatrogenic soft palate defects, which were initially caused by procedures attempting to correct an epiglottic entrapment.

Study Objective and Subjects

• The primary objective of the study was to assess surgical correction of soft palate defects in horses. These defects were iatrogenic, or unintentionally caused by a medical procedure.
• Two young Thoroughbred fillies were involved in the study. Each had previously undergone treatment for epiglottic entrapment, which led to the development of the defects in their soft palates.

Case Descriptions

• The first case involved a 4-year-old filly referred for a soft palate defect. Several weeks prior to the referral, a procedure aiming to correct an epiglottic entrapment had caused the problem. The defect was surgically rectified via a mandibular symphysiotomy, a procedure involving the division of the lower jaw at the symphysis. Post-operative results showed the horse was able to race successfully 85 days after the repair.
• The second case was a 2-year-old filly admitted for evaluation and treatment of an epiglottic entrapment. The soft palate was inadvertently torn during an attempt to divide the entrapping membrane transnasally. A full-thickness soft palate laceration of 2 cm was repaired transorally. Transoral indicates that the procedure was performed via the horse’s mouth. This method can be particularly beneficial in circumstances where the area requiring treatment is difficult to access or where transnasal technique might pose a risk of unnecessary damage.

Implications of the Study

• The study showcases the successful use of surgical techniques for repairing iatrogenic soft palate defects in young horses.
• Complications arising from procedures such as epiglottic entrapment treatment can be effectively addressed.
• The swift recovery confirmed by the successful racing of the first horse provides real-world evidence of the practical efficiency of these surgical corrections.