Use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser to remove exuberant granulation tissue from the esophagus of a horse.

This research article presents a case where a laser was successfully used to remove abnormal granulation tissue from the esophagus of a horse, avoiding any complications linked with more invasive procedures.

The Horse’s Condition

• The research recapitulates the case of a 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare that had been suffering from repetitive esophageal obstruction.
• An endoscopic examination revealed the presence of an anomalous mass located in the esophagus, approximately 55 cm away from the nares.
• A histological investigation of the mass, obtained from biopsy specimens, determined it to be comprised of diffuse suppurative esophagitis and granulation tissue.
• There was no evidence to show that the mass was neoplastic.

Laser Treatment

• The neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used in a transendoscopic procedure to cut out and ablate the mass.
• This process was efficient in completely removing the mass with the horse presenting no signs of the mass during a follow-up visit after two weeks from the last laser procedure.
• The esophagus had completely healed with the site of the former mass appearing normal.

Post-Treatment Analysis

• There was no indication of any reversion or reappearance of the mass six months following the last examination.
• Hence, it could be ascertained that transendoscopic laser excision was not only successful in this scenario but also avoided complications which frequently accompany an esophagotomy.