Outcome analysis of 95 harness racehorses with confirmed dorsal displacement of the soft palate treated with laryngeal tie-forward surgery.
Authors: Vermedal Hanna, O'Leary John Mark, Fjordbakk Cathrine T, McAloon Conor G, Løkslett Hege, Stadsnes Birgitte, Fretheim-Kelly Zoe L, Strand Eric
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Laryngeal Tie-Forward Surgery for Soft Palate Displacement in Harness Racehorses Intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP) is a well-recognised cause of poor racing performance in harness horses, yet published outcomes for laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) surgery show considerable variation, particularly when comparing horses with and without confirmed diagnosis. Vermedal and colleagues reviewed 95 harness racehorses that underwent LTF after definitive iDDSP diagnosis via high-speed treadmill or overground endoscopy, analysing their racing performance indices (PI) and speed marks before and after surgery alongside complication and recurrence rates. Two-thirds of experienced racehorses showed improved PI post-operatively, with the cohort demonstrating a statistically significant recovery: PI increased by mean 0.5 points (P = 0.003) and racing speed improved by 0.83 seconds (P < 0.001) following surgery, reversing the pre-diagnosis decline of 0.9 PI points. However, recurrence of iDDSP occurred in 21% of cases within 46–708 days post-operatively, and notably, nearly half the horses showed no measurable pre-operative decline in speed marks, suggesting iDDSP manifests with considerable individual variation in harness racehorses. Clinicians should recognise that whilst LTF provides evidence-supported improvement in racing metrics for confirmed iDDSP, outcomes are individual and recurrence remains a meaningful risk requiring appropriate owner counselling and potentially repeated post-operative endoscopic evaluation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Laryngeal tie-forward is an effective surgical treatment for confirmed iDDSP in harness racehorses, with two-thirds showing improved racing performance postoperatively
- •Expect variable individual outcomes—25% of horses showed no preoperative performance decline and 21% will have recurrence requiring retreatment, so counsel clients accordingly
- •Postoperative endoscopy monitoring is important as the study notes not all horses were evaluated post-surgery, and recurrence can occur within 2-24 months
Key Findings
- •Performance index increased in 67% of experienced racehorses postoperatively, with mean improvement of 0.5 points (P=0.003)
- •Racing speed improved by 0.83 seconds postoperatively (P<0.001) after declining 0.9 points preoperatively
- •21% of horses had confirmed recurrence of iDDSP within 46-708 days following laryngeal tie-forward surgery
- •Basihyoid-cricoid net distance shortening did not significantly affect postoperative racing performance