Long-term study of partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure in 76 Thoroughbred racehorses (1992-2006).
Authors: Parente E J, Tulleners E P, Southwood L L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Partial Arytenoidectomy in Thoroughbred Racehorses Between 1992 and 2006, researchers at New Bolton Centre evaluated 76 Thoroughbred racehorses that underwent unilateral partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure, comparing outcomes in horses presenting with arytenoid chondropathy (54 cases) versus failed laryngoplasty (22 cases). Following surgery, 82% of horses returned to racing within a median timeframe of 6 months, with 63% achieving five or more race starts post-operatively; notably, average earnings per start showed no significant difference between pre- and post-operative performance. Complications were relatively modest, with only 17% of cases requiring a second procedure for laser excision of intralaryngeal granulation tissue, and significantly, neither the need for revision surgery nor other variables (age, sex, lesion location or type) predicted post-operative racing success or financial performance. These findings suggest that partial arytenoidectomy with primary closure represents a reliable surgical option for managing both primary arytenoid pathology and failed laryngoplasty cases, offering reasonable prospects for functional recovery and return to competitive performance. For equine practitioners managing racehorses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy complications or arytenoid disease, this long-term outcome data supports considering arytenoidectomy as a credible intervention when conservative measures prove inadequate.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure is an effective procedure for returning racehorses with arytenoid chondropathy or failed laryngoplasty to racing, with 4 in 5 horses returning to competition
- •Plan for a 6-month recovery period before expecting the horse to return to racing after this procedure
- •Anticipate that approximately 1 in 6 horses may require a second procedure for granulation tissue management, but this does not appear to affect long-term racing performance
Key Findings
- •82% of 73 discharged horses returned to racing after unilateral partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure
- •63% of horses raced 5 or more times post-surgery with median time to first start of 6 months
- •17% of horses required a second surgery for laser excision of intralaryngeal granulation tissue
- •Average earnings per start showed no significant difference before and after surgery