Sternothyroideus myotomy, staphylectomy, and oral caudal soft palate photothermoplasty for treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 102 thoroughbred racehorses.
Authors: Smith Jennifer J, Embertson Rolf M
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) remains a significant performance limitation in racehorses, yet the optimal surgical approach remains debated. This retrospective analysis evaluated 102 Thoroughbreds treated with a combined procedure of sternothyroideus myotomy, staphylectomy, and oral caudal soft palate photothermoplasty, examining whether this intervention improved competitive outcomes through comparison of racing records before and after surgery. Among the 73 horses with racing records both before and after treatment, 63% demonstrated significant performance improvement, with mean earnings per start increasing from $2,792 to $3,806; additionally, 65% of horses that raced postoperatively won at least one race, and 77% returned to compete in more than five races, with a median return to racing of 69 days. Whilst these results align favourably with other reported DDSP techniques, the authors note that the inclusion of staphylectomy (palatal tissue removal) may be unnecessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes, potentially simplifying the procedure and reducing surgical time. For practitioners managing performance-limiting DDSP, this study provides reassuring evidence that a combined surgical approach yields meaningful improvements in racing performance, though refinement of the surgical protocol warrants further investigation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •This three-part surgical technique effectively restores racing performance in most Thoroughbreds with DDSP, with nearly two-thirds of experienced racehorses showing improved earnings after surgery
- •Expect horses to return to racing within 2-3 months post-operatively, allowing for realistic training and competition planning
- •The staphylectomy component may be optional, as the authors suggest it might not be necessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes—discuss with your surgeon whether all three procedures are required for your horse
Key Findings
- •Racing performance improved significantly after surgery in 63% (46/73) of horses that raced both before and after surgery, with mean earnings per start increasing from $2,792 to $3,806 (P=0.02)
- •Mean return to racing was 109 days post-operatively, with median of 69 days
- •65% (60/92) of horses that raced post-operatively won at least one race, and 77% (71/92) competed in more than 5 races after surgery
- •Combined surgical approach (sternothyroideus myotomy, staphylectomy, and oral caudal soft palate photothermoplasty) achieved outcomes comparable to other reported DDSP surgical techniques