Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
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J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. · Jun 1990
Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser correction of epiglottic entrapment in standing horses.
Fifty-seven Standardbred and 44 Thoroughbred racehorses and 1 Thoroughbred polo mare with primary clinical signs of exercise intolerance or respiratory tract noise or combined exercise intolerance and respiratory tract noise were referred for laser correction of epiglottic entrapment. Significantly (P less than 0.001) more Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses were affected, compared with the observed hospital population during the same period. At referral, 14 horses did not have evident epiglottic entrapment and were returned to exercise without development of entrapment after treatment, which consisted of 1 week of rest and administration of anti-inflammatory medication. ⋯ Laser correction of epiglottic entrapment in standing horses was safe, well tolerated, and effective. Laser surgery was an alternative to conventional surgery, and eliminated the need for general anesthesia and laryngotomy. It also reduced convalescence and postoperative complications.