Indications for and short- and long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomy performed in standing horses: 82 cases (1995-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To identify indications for and short- and long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomy performed in standing horses.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
82 horses undergoing permanent tracheostomy.


METHODS
Data obtained from medical records included signalment, diagnosis, surgical technique, complications, use of the horse before and after surgery, and owner satisfaction. Follow-up information was obtained through a telephone questionnaire administered to owners.


RESULTS
Indications for permanent tracheostomy included nasopharyngeal cicatrix (n = 59), arytenoid chondropathy (55), and laryngeal hemiplegia (20); 54 horses had multiple indications for tracheostomy. Complications identified prior to discharge included partial dehiscence (n = 8), transient fever (10), and excessive swelling (13). Complications identified after discharge included partial dehiscence (n = 3), inversion of skin (2), and stenosis of the tracheostomy requiring repair (1). Long-term follow-up information was available for 64 horses. Fifty-seven of the 64 (89%) horses returned to their previous use, and owners of 63 (98%) horses reported being very satisfied with the results. The owner of 1 (2%) horse was unsatisfied with the results. The 1-year survival rate was 97% (95% confidence interval, 95% to 100%). Mean estimated truncated survival time (ie, failure-free period) was 9.7 years (95% confidence interval, 9.3 to 10.1 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that permanent tracheostomy can be safely performed in standing horses and was a viable treatment for horses with obstructive disease of the upper respiratory tract that was unresponsive to medical treatment or other surgical treatments.
Chesen
A Berkley
AB
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA.
Rakestraw
Peter C
PC
D000818:Animals; D018397:Equidae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome