Tracheal perforation managed by temporary tracheostomy in a horse.

This research article describes a unique case of a 16-year-old thoroughbred horse that suffered from tracheal perforation and was successfully treated with a temporary tracheostomy, enabling full recovery.

Case Overview

• The research discusses a special case of a mature horse, a Thoroughbred gelding, that sustained a tracheal injury. The horse suffered a 1 cm longitudinal perforation (a hole) on the dorsal tracheal membrane (the upper part of the windpipe) in the proximal cervical region (near the neck area).

Complications and Symptoms

• Post the injury, the horse developed dyspnoea, which is a medical term for difficulty in breathing. This was due to an acute upper respiratory obstruction (blockage of the upper part of the respiratory tract), which was triggered by severe emphysema of the guttural pouches (air-filled sacs situated in the head, near the skull).

Treatment Approach

• To address the situation, the veterinarians performed a temporary tracheostomy, a surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea below the site of the perforation. The surgery was conducted using local anaesthesia.
• The tracheostomy was beneficial not just in relieving the existing upper airway obstruction but also in facilitating the resolution of the injury. This was achieved by diverting the airflow away from the woun on the trachead, preventing further damage and facilitating healing.

Recovery

• Post surgery, the horse was managed conservatively (without additional aggressive treatment). Interestingly, the horse managed to recover fully after the tracheostomy.
• This case exemplifies a successful intervention of tracheal perforation in a horse using tracheostomy as well as the potential for complete recovery post such an injury in horses.