Transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in horses: 22 cases (1999-2005).

The research article explores the long-term impacts of a surgical procedure (transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy or LAVC) on airway noise and performance in horses with a condition known as left laryngeal hemiplegia. It was found that LAVC was effective in reducing airway noise and improving performance in affected horses.

Methodology

• The study carried out a review of 22 cases where horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia were treated with LAVC between 1999 and 2005.
• Several aspects such as initial complaint, use of the horse, duration of the abnormal airway noise, preoperative performance level, endoscopic findings, surgical procedures, postoperative treatment, and any complications were recorded from the medical records of these cases.
• Follow-up telephone interviews were also conducted with the owners and trainers of the horses to gather information on the recovery time post-surgery, the level of postoperative performance, and the reduction in airway noise.

Results

• It was found that all the horses were brought for examination due to excessive airway noise, and almost half of them also suffered from exercise intolerance.
• The LAVC procedure was successfully performed on all 22 horses, with one horse requiring a bilateral ventriculocordectomy performed a year later.
• Only three horses (14 percent) experienced postoperative complications.
• The majority of horses (91 percent) were able to return to their intended purpose or use post-surgery.
• Post-surgery, excessive airway noise was eliminated in 18 horses (82 percent) and exercise tolerance improved in 8 out of the 10 horses that originally showed this issue.
• Three racing Thoroughbreds were able to return to racing after the surgery. One additional racehorse also returned but required further treatment a year later to maintain the racing performance.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, the research concluded that transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy was an effective treatment for horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia. The procedure helped in eliminating excessive airway noise and improved overall performance in the affected horses.