Tracheal resection and anastomosis after traumatic tracheal stenosis in a horse.

The research study focuses on the application and efficacy of a tracheal resection and anastomosis technique on a horse that experienced trauma-induced tracheal stenosis. Despite significant complications, the technique was successful and the horse was able to return to its previous level of physical activity.

Methodology

• The research centered around a case study of a 9-year-old Warmblood gelding horse that had suffered from a trauma-induced tracheal stenosis.
• Using endoscopy, radiography, and ultrasonography, a single ring tracheal stenosis was diagnosed in the horse.
• To treat this, the stenotic region of the horse’s trachea was surgically removed – a procedure referred to as resection.
• Next, the adjacent tracheal rings were anastomosed or surgically connected end-to-end.

Results

• The anastomosis healed completely, but there was the formation of a unilateral partial mucosal stenosis “web”.
• This “web” was successfully removed later through transendoscopic laser surgery.
• However, during the anastomosis, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve of the horse was damaged. This resulted in laryngeal hemiplegia, a condition where one side of the larynx is paralyzed.
• Despite this complication, it was treated through laryngoplasty, and the horse successfully returned to its previous level of work.

Conclusions

• This research demonstrated that the tracheal resection and anastomosis technique can successfully treat trauma-induced tracheal stenosis in a horse, leading to a relatively large tracheal lumen.
• Despite facing severe complications such as unilateral partial mucosal stenosis “web” and laryngeal hemiplegia, these were treated successfully and the horse was able to return to full athletic work.