Ventriculocordectomy as the sole treatment for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy: long-term results from ninety-two horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect ventriculocordectomy (VC) for treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) on exercise performance and owner satisfaction in a mixed-breed population of horses.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Adult horses (n=92) with a history of abnormal respiratory noise and RLN.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of horse that had unilateral VC (and contralateral ventriculectomy in 63 horses) for treatment of idiopathic RLN. Owners/trainers completed a questionnaire about complications and outcome at least 1 year after surgery. Performance index was determined using race records for previously raced Thoroughbreds to evaluate outcome.


RESULTS
Clinical signs included abnormal exercise-induced respiratory noises (noises; 52%), poor performance (11%), and noises and poor performance (37%). The median preoperative resting endoscopic grade of laryngeal function was Havemeyer grade III.1 (mild asymmetry). No discharge from the laryngotomy 1 week postoperatively occurred in 62% horses, 22% coughed after surgery, 66% made no noises, 9% continued to make noises at the canter, 21% made noise at the gallop, and 4% of owners were unsure whether noises were present. Ninety-three percent of horses returned to full work after surgery. Overall, 86% of owners considered the surgery worthwhile, 3% did not consider it worthwhile, and 11% were unsure. Surgery had a significantly beneficial effect on the racing performance index in Thoroughbreds (P=.004).


CONCLUSIONS
VC is a useful alternative to laryngoplasty for selected cases of RLN and is associated with a positive effect on exercise performance, a low postoperative complication rate, and a high rate of owner satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Unilateral VC should be considered as a sole treatment in horses with low grades of RLN.
Taylor
Sarah E
SE
Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Scotland, UK. Sarah.Taylor@ed.ac.uk
Barakzai
Safia Z
SZ
Dixon
Padraic
P
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012008:Recurrence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*