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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(5); 856-864; doi: 10.1111/evj.13523

The impact of grade of laryngeal function immediately prior to laryngoplasty and ipsilateral ventriculocordectomy on postoperative performance: 623 Thoroughbred racehorses (1998-2013).

Abstract: There is persistent concern among some trainers, owners and veterinarians regarding the effect of preoperative laryngeal function grade on the outcome of laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy (LPVC). Objective: To determine the effect of laryngeal function grade prior to LPVC on postoperative performance. Methods: Retrospective case-series. Methods: Medical and race records of Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) and treated with LPVC between 1998 and 2013 were reviewed. Horses were placed into three groups based on preoperative laryngeal function grade (grade III.1, grades III.2/III.3, and grade IV). The effect of preoperative laryngeal function grade on postoperative performance was determined by multivariable logistic regression, Cox proportional hazard model and multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: In a multivariable logistic regression, grade III.2/III.3 horses had 1.88 times higher odds (95% CI = 1.03-3.43) of racing after LPVC than grade IV (P = .04). A multivariable Cox's proportional hazard analysis controlling for race prior to surgery (P < .01) showed that likelihood of racing postoperatively was not different between grade III.1 and grade IV (P = .6), and although not statistically significant, there was a tendency for grades III.2/III.3 to be more likely to race postoperatively than horses with grade IV (P = .07). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that grade IV horses took a longer time to race compared with grade III.1 and grade III.2/III.3. Laryngeal function grade did not influence the mean earnings per start. Conclusions: The small number of horses in the grade III.1 group compared with the III.2/III.3 and IV groups influenced the effect of grade III.1 on outcome. Conclusions: Laryngeal function grade may affect likelihood of racing after LPVC, but not earnings per start. Grade III. 2/III.3 horses were more likely to race postoperatively than grade IV horses, and grade IV horses took a longer time to first race after LPVC.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-21 PubMed ID: 34626125DOI: 10.1111/evj.13523Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aims to understand whether the grade of laryngeal function in racehorses before undergoing laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy affects their postoperative performance. It concludes that the laryngeal function grade may indeed influence a horse’s likelihood to race after the surgery, but does not impact earnings.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective case-series study using medical and race records of Thoroughbred racehorses treated with laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy between 1998 and 2013.
  • The horses were divided into cohorts based on their preoperative laryngeal function grade, which was graded as grade III.1, grades III.2/III.3, and grade IV.
  • Statistical analyses, including multivariable logistic regression, Cox proportional hazard model, and multivariable linear regression, were carried out to understand the impact of preoperative laryngeal function grade on the postoperative performance of the horses.

Findings

  • According to the multivariable logistic regression results, horses belonging to the III.2/III.3 grade were approximately 1.88 times more likely to race after the procedure compared to grade IV horses.
  • The Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in the likelihood of racing postoperatively between horses of grade III.1 and grade IV, albeit a trend was noticed that horses of grades III.2/III.3 were more likely to race postoperatively than those of grade IV.
  • A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that grade IV horses needed a longer time for their first race in comparison with grade III.1 and grade III.2/III.3.
  • Laryngeal function grade apparently did not affect the average earnings per start for the horses.

Conclusion

  • A smaller number of horses in the grade III.1 group compared to grades III.2/III.3 and IV might have influenced the impact of grade III.1 on the outcome of the study.
  • The research concluded that the laryngeal function grade prior to surgery influences the likelihood of horses racing postoperatively, though it does not affect the average earnings per start.
  • Horses with laryngeal function grade III.2/III.3 were more likely to race postoperatively compared to grade IV horses, and grade IV horses typically required more time to their first race post-surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Broyles AH, Embertson RM, Brett Woodie J, Machado V. (2021). The impact of grade of laryngeal function immediately prior to laryngoplasty and ipsilateral ventriculocordectomy on postoperative performance: 623 Thoroughbred racehorses (1998-2013). Equine Vet J, 54(5), 856-864. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13523

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
Pages: 856-864

Researcher Affiliations

Broyles, Ali H
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Embertson, Rolf M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Brett Woodie, J
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Machado, Vinicius
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Laryngoplasty / veterinary
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Running
  • Vocal Cords / surgery

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Franklin SH. Yearling laryngeal function in Thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty differs from controls. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):431-440.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14110pubmed: 38847239google scholar: lookup
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