Tracheal reconstruction by resection and end-to-end anastomosis in the horse.

This research investigates a surgical technique for reconstructing the trachea in horses, focusing on the procedure’s impact based on the number of removed tracheal cartilages.

Objective and Methodology

• The researchers developed and observed the outcome of a surgical technique involving resecting (removing) sections of the trachea and then performing end-to-end anastomosis (joining parts together) in healthy horses.
• The technique was tested on four clinically normal horses, with variable numbers of tracheal cartilages being removed from each.
• Additionally, to understand the effect of the procedure, the researchers measured the suture line tension in three other normal horses after 3 and 5 tracheal cartilages were removed and before and after flexion of the neck to 90 degrees.
• The surgical technique was also attempted on a horse and a pony both with partial tracheal obstructions.

Results and Findings

• In three horses where three tracheal cartilages were removed, the trachea healed successfully making the surgery a success.
• However, in the fourth horse, where five cartilages were removed, the animal had to be euthanized due to excessive suture line tension and wound disruption caused during recovery post-anesthesia.
• The measure of suture line tension in the three clinically normal horses showed a reduction of about 50% when the neck was flexed.
• The force needed to join the cut ends of the trachea almost doubled when five tracheal cartilages were removed instead of three.
• In the case of the pony and horse with partial tracheal obstructions, the surgery was partially successful. The pony returned to successful show competition after five cartilages were removed, while the horse died due to other complications unrelated to the tracheal surgery.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that tracheal reconstruction through resection and end-to-end anastomosis in horses is achievable, but the number of cartilages removed during the process significantly impacts the success of the surgery. Less tension is observed, and healing is more likely when fewer cartilages are removed.
• Further research may be required to perfect the technique, particularly for cases where more cartilages need to be removed.