Evaluation of a canine cranial cruciate ligament repair system for use in equine laryngoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of a nylon suture system (Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System; Securos Inc Veterinary Orthopedics) as a prosthesis for equine laryngoplasty.


METHODS
Experimental and prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Cadaver specimens (n = 5) and 7 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia.


METHODS
A commercially available monofilament nylon suture system was implanted as a laryngeal prosthesis. Arytenoid cartilage abduction was achieved with a tensioning device applied to the suture prosthesis during transnasal endoscopic observation. Suture fixation was achieved with crimping clamps and a crimping device.


RESULTS
The nylon suture system was suitable as a laryngeal prosthesis for arytenoid cartilage abduction. The ratchet mechanism of the tensioning device facilitated abduction of the arytenoid cartilage and suture fixation was achieved by the crimped clamp without any loss of tension. Postoperatively, there was a slight loss of tension in 4 horses and complete loss of tension in 1 horse because of cartilage failure. After convalescence, none of the horses had abnormal respiratory noise, exercise intolerance or cough.


CONCLUSIONS
A nylon suture system designed for canine cranial cruciate ligament repair was used successfully as a laryngeal prosthesis and facilitated control of the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction during laryngoplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
For improved control of the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction during laryngoplasty, use of a nylon suture system with metal crimps should be considered.
Scherzer
Sabine
S
Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. sabine.scherzer@vu-wien.ac.at
Hainisch
Edmund K
EK
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009757:Nylons; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000662:veterinary; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D009757:Nylons