Effect of a tongue-tie on upper airway mechanics during exercise following sternothyrohyoid myectomy in clinically normal horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a tongue-tie on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses exercising on a treadmill following sternothyrohyoid myectomy.


METHODS
6 Standardbreds.


METHODS
Upper airway mechanics were measured with horses exercising on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s 4 weeks after a sternothyrohyoid myectomy was performed. Pharyngeal and tracheal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured by use of transnasal pharyngeal and tracheal catheters connected to differential pressure transducers. Horses were fitted with a facemask and airflow was measured by use of a pneumotachograph. Horses underwent a standardized exercise protocol on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s with and without a tongue-tie in a randomized cross-over design. Inspiratory and expiratory airflow, tracheal pressure, and pharyngeal pressure were measured, and inspiratory and expiratory resistances were calculated.


RESULTS
We were unable to detect an effect of a tongue-tie on any of the respiratory variables measured.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that a tongue-tie does not alter upper airway mechanics following sternothyrohyoid myectomy in clinically normal horses during exercise.
Beard
W L
WL
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Holcombe
S J
SJ
Hinchcliff
K W
KW
D000818:Animals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000601:surgery; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000502:physiology