Performance after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure in 27 Thoroughbred racehorses.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure on postoperative racing performance and long-term complications in Thoroughbred racehorses treated for laryngeal hemiplegia, arytenoid chondropathy, or failed laryngoplasty.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Twenty-seven Thoroughbred racehorses.


METHODS
Medical records of Thoroughbred racehorses that had partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. Horses were divided into groups: horses that had not raced (Group 1) and those that had raced (Group 2) before surgery. Lifetime race records were compared between groups. A standard starts index (SSI) and performance index (PI) were used for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, to objectively evaluate each horse's postoperative performance. Telephone interviews of owners and trainers were used for subjective performance evaluation and to determine prevalence of long-term complications.


RESULTS
Eleven (61%) Group 1 and 7 (78%) Group 2 horses raced and earned money after surgery. All Group 1 horses that raced performed at a level lower than the national average. Only 1 Group 2 horse had an improved PI score postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoroughbred racehorses have a fair prognosis for racing successfully after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique may be a practical alternative to primary mucosal closure, would decrease surgical time, and avoid some problems reported with primary mucosal closure.
Barnes
Amy J
AJ
Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, FL 34474, USA.
Slone
Donnie E
DE
Lynch
Tim M
TM
D000818:Animals; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires